Science
Related: About this forumScientists have taught rats to drive little cars. And they love it.
Last edited Thu Dec 19, 2024, 09:40 PM - Edit history (2)
In an experiment scientists built tiny cars, and using pavlovian science taught rats how to drive them to a Froot Loop treat. They would get in the battery powered cart and steer to the food to eat right from the driver seat, like they were at the local A&W.
But a weird thing happened. Even without a treat the rats still wanted to motor about. They would "jump up and down like a dog that believes it's going for a walk". They just enjoyed driving around the test area like it was Saturday cruise night in Detroit. They would even thrill to sit in the car pushing the lever that revved the engine before embarking to their ride. According to the study "Rather than pushing buttons for instant rewards, they remind us that planning, anticipating and enjoying the ride may be key to a healthy brain, So getting there is half the fun for creatures big and small.
No word if they are being fitted for leather jackets or if they push the seat way back to pimp their rides. If the car stops will they pop the hood and look at the motor hoping to find something they can fix? I don't know, but once again I'm reminded that in the universe we're not much different than rats. I hope I'm maybe a better driver.
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/rats-driving-in-richmond-dec-17-2024
https://nypost.com/2024/11/17/science/scientists-teaching-rats-how-to-drive-discover-that-the-rodents-have-a-need-for-speed/

underpants
(192,412 posts)Rats driving. Payroll in Fruit Loops.
The problem is that the southern rats keep their turn signal on.
Traildogbob
(11,686 posts)Have ya seen people drive of Late?????
JohnnyRingo
(20,113 posts)... the only two cars registered in Ohio crashed into each other.
The lab report doesn't mention how many fender benders they've experienced. Perhaps a "Student Driver" sticker on the bumper would help.
Traildogbob
(11,686 posts)The rats knew there were turn signals. When did UAW limit that cost to CEOs
CrispyQ
(40,142 posts)Their stress hormones were lower after driving. Wait till they put lots of them on the road.
hlthe2b
(111,104 posts)"best of Beyonce."
Diamond_Dog
(38,183 posts)House of Roberts
(6,188 posts)appropriate!
JohnnyRingo
(20,113 posts)I hadn't thought of that! I wish I would have included it in the post.
eppur_se_muova
(39,772 posts)Baitball Blogger
(50,825 posts)Who doesn't see them starring in their own Disney movie?
Traildogbob
(11,686 posts)Traffic will blow up. New taxi drivers will work for slices of street pizza.
Dave Bowman
(5,712 posts)😃
twodogsbarking
(15,263 posts)Thanks JR, best to you.
MadMike47
(158 posts)cachukis
(3,403 posts)Gaugamela
(2,963 posts)You have to click through to YouTube to watch:
Crowman2009
(3,226 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(57,750 posts)ReRe
(11,801 posts)This entire thread has been so enjoyable. I laughed and learned so much!
JohnnyRingo
(20,113 posts)Thanx!
japple
(10,459 posts)4catsmom
(667 posts)it's a bottle on wheels. I am sure they won't out of it
JohnnyRingo
(20,113 posts)The eagerly jump in and pull up to the food to eat in the car. They can jump out anytime they want, but it's fun.
See this link. Now they're talking about letting them race each other.
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/rats-driving-in-richmond-dec-17-2024
ReRe
(11,801 posts)This definitely should be OP of the day/greatest or whatever they call it.
Thanks so much for your post. It made my day!
SheltieLover
(73,061 posts)TY for sharing this and brightening our day.
MichMan
(15,787 posts)JohnnyRingo
(20,113 posts)They're talking about letting them race.
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/rats-driving-in-richmond-dec-17-2024
Figarosmom
(8,017 posts)A fun study. I wonder what it is they say they are trying to prove to justify the srudy.
JohnnyRingo
(20,113 posts)"Lamberts study aims to explore the relationship between animals and their environments, how their cognition develops, and how they process new skills."
CrispyQ
(40,142 posts)You can see the door they cut in the bottle for the rats to get in & out. Thanks!
Skittles
(166,911 posts)that would mean even MORE drone reports
scipan
(2,926 posts)CrispyQ
(40,142 posts)
Figarosmom
(8,017 posts)And the sit in their cars reving the engine. I wonder if they are feeling the same pleasure from that , that humans do.A feeling of power?
JohnnyRingo
(20,113 posts)..before some of them start rolling coal and make everyone miserable.
Figarosmom
(8,017 posts)Humans do that. I used to be embarrassing to have a car emmitting smoke
Skittles
(166,911 posts)
Figarosmom
(8,017 posts)Of the article
snot
(11,279 posts)doing the same thing. They were in fish bowls sitting on the the little vehicles.