DenisSergeevitch/desktop-fly

What it solves

DesktopFly creates a virtual 3D insect that lives on your computer desktop, moving and reacting not through scripted animations, but through a live simulation of a real biological brain (the fruit fly connectome). It bridges the gap between complex neuroscience data and an interactive, visual experience.

How it works

The project uses data from the FlyWire connectome to simulate a circuit of 668 real neurons and approximately 19,000 synaptic connections using a leaky-integrate-and-fire (LIF) model. This simulation processes real-time inputs from your OS—such as cursor movement (looming), window edges (terrain), and keyboard typing (vibration)—and translates the resulting neural spikes into physical behaviors like walking, grooming, and escaping. It includes a 3D visualization of the brain where users can manually stimulate specific neurons to trigger corresponding physical reactions.

Who it’s for

It is designed for users interested in neuroscience, connectomics, and biological simulation, as well as anyone looking for a unique, biologically-driven desktop companion.

Highlights

• Real Connectome Data: Driven by 23,210 neuron positions and a functional circuit based on FlyWire v783.
• Non-Scripted Behavior: Escape responses are triggered by actual neural spikes in the Giant Fiber (GF) neuron rather than pre-set triggers.
• OS Integration: The fly interacts with window frames, monitors thermal state (affecting speed), and follows a circadian rhythm.
• Interactive Brain: A live brain window allows users to "optogenetically" stimulate neurons to see immediate behavioral changes.
• Cross-Platform: Available for macOS (native) and Windows (Electron/three.js).