PlatformCommander - An open source software for an easy integration of motion platforms in research laboratories

Abstract

Motion platforms are devices that allow for a selective stimulation of all five sub-components of the peripheral vestibular organ with high temporal and spatial precision. This makes motion platforms a valuable tool in clinical and basic [1] vestibular and motion research. Despite the wide range of application in human [2,3] and primate [4] research, no standard regarding a software package for interfacing the platform and controlling its motions has emerged and most labs have developed their own code for interfacing their hexapod. These customized, closed-source solutions are in contrast to the current open-science research practice as they hinder inter-lab collaborations, comparisons, replications, or shared efforts for implementing new features. PlatformCommander is an open-source software package for interfacing motion platforms which allows for rigorous and flexible experiment control. It is ideal for the synchronization of data from different sources with high temporal precision.