Science
Related: About this forumScientists have taught rats to drive little cars. And they love it.
Last edited Thu Dec 19, 2024, 08:40 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
(194,405 posts)Rats driving. Payroll in Fruit Loops.
The problem is that the southern rats keep their turn signal on.
Traildogbob
(12,393 posts)Have ya seen people drive of Late?????
JohnnyRingo
(20,380 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
(12,393 posts)The rats knew there were turn signals. When did UAW limit that cost to CEOs
CrispyQ
(40,570 posts)Their stress hormones were lower after driving. Wait till they put lots of them on the road.
hlthe2b
(112,515 posts)"best of Beyonce."
Diamond_Dog
(39,576 posts)House of Roberts
(6,364 posts)appropriate!
JohnnyRingo
(20,380 posts)I hadn't thought of that! I wish I would have included it in the post.

eppur_se_muova
(40,757 posts)Baitball Blogger
(51,598 posts)Who doesn't see them starring in their own Disney movie?
Traildogbob
(12,393 posts)Traffic will blow up. New taxi drivers will work for slices of street pizza.
Dave Bowman
(6,480 posts)😃
twodogsbarking
(17,359 posts)Thanks JR, best to you.
MadMike47
(165 posts)cachukis
(3,600 posts)Gaugamela
(3,137 posts)You have to click through to YouTube to watch:
Crowman2009
(3,381 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(60,320 posts)ReRe
(12,162 posts)This entire thread has been so enjoyable. I laughed and learned so much!
JohnnyRingo
(20,380 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
(20,380 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
(12,162 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
(75,730 posts)TY for sharing this and brightening our day.
MichMan
(16,490 posts)JohnnyRingo
(20,380 posts)They're talking about letting them race.
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/rats-driving-in-richmond-dec-17-2024
Figarosmom
(9,489 posts)A fun study. I wonder what it is they say they are trying to prove to justify the srudy.
JohnnyRingo
(20,380 posts)"Lamberts study aims to explore the relationship between animals and their environments, how their cognition develops, and how they process new skills."
CrispyQ
(40,570 posts)You can see the door they cut in the bottle for the rats to get in & out. Thanks!
Skittles
(169,091 posts)that would mean even MORE drone reports
scipan
(2,969 posts)CrispyQ
(40,570 posts)Figarosmom
(9,489 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
(20,380 posts)..before some of them start rolling coal and make everyone miserable.
Figarosmom
(9,489 posts)Humans do that. I used to be embarrassing to have a car emmitting smoke
Skittles
(169,091 posts)Figarosmom
(9,489 posts)Of the article
snot
(11,412 posts)doing the same thing. They were in fish bowls sitting on the the little vehicles.