Platform Prototype for Measuring Locomotion Forces in Small Animals

The objective of this project is to develop a platform to study the footstep of rodents. The main goal of the proposed device is to discover musculoskeletal disorders in rodents and others small animals, which is performed by means of the measurement of locomotion and footstep force in a selective and adaptable manner. The proposed platform combines hardware and software, aiming to develop a low-cost solution. A description of the electronic systems and the mechanical platform is included in order for the system and the experiments to be able to be replicated. The implemented platform was utilized to perform measurements in small rodents as a proof-of-concept.