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
(189,234 posts)Rats driving. Payroll in Fruit Loops.
The problem is that the southern rats keep their turn signal on.
Traildogbob
(10,762 posts)Have ya seen people drive of Late?????
JohnnyRingo
(19,723 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
(10,762 posts)The rats knew there were turn signals. When did UAW limit that cost to CEOs
CrispyQ
(39,210 posts)Their stress hormones were lower after driving. Wait till they put lots of them on the road.
hlthe2b
(108,333 posts)"best of Beyonce."
Diamond_Dog
(36,215 posts)House of Roberts
(5,892 posts)appropriate!
JohnnyRingo
(19,723 posts)I hadn't thought of that! I wish I would have included it in the post.
eppur_se_muova
(38,531 posts)Baitball Blogger
(49,488 posts)Who doesn't see them starring in their own Disney movie?
Traildogbob
(10,762 posts)Traffic will blow up. New taxi drivers will work for slices of street pizza.
Dave Bowman
(4,771 posts)😃
twodogsbarking
(12,961 posts)Thanks JR, best to you.
MadMike47
(136 posts)cachukis
(2,924 posts)Gaugamela
(2,748 posts)You have to click through to YouTube to watch:
Crowman2009
(2,983 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(53,035 posts)ReRe
(11,348 posts)This entire thread has been so enjoyable. I laughed and learned so much!
JohnnyRingo
(19,723 posts)Thanx!
japple
(10,453 posts)4catsmom
(597 posts)it's a bottle on wheels. I am sure they won't out of it
JohnnyRingo
(19,723 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
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
(64,169 posts)TY for sharing this and brightening our day.
MichMan
(14,425 posts)JohnnyRingo
(19,723 posts)They're talking about letting them race.
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/rats-driving-in-richmond-dec-17-2024
Figarosmom
(4,728 posts)A fun study. I wonder what it is they say they are trying to prove to justify the srudy.
JohnnyRingo
(19,723 posts)"Lamberts study aims to explore the relationship between animals and their environments, how their cognition develops, and how they process new skills."
CrispyQ
(39,210 posts)You can see the door they cut in the bottle for the rats to get in & out. Thanks!
Skittles
(162,406 posts)that would mean even MORE drone reports
scipan
(2,757 posts)CrispyQ
(39,210 posts)
Figarosmom
(4,728 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
(19,723 posts)..before some of them start rolling coal and make everyone miserable.
Figarosmom
(4,728 posts)Humans do that. I used to be embarrassing to have a car emmitting smoke
Skittles
(162,406 posts)
Figarosmom
(4,728 posts)Of the article
snot
(10,967 posts)doing the same thing. They were in fish bowls sitting on the the little vehicles.