Science

JohnnyRingo

(19,726 posts) Thu Dec 19, 2024, 10:48 AM Dec 19

Scientists 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/

41 replies

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Highlight:

Scientists have taught rats to drive little cars. And they love it. (Original Post) JohnnyRingo Dec 19 OP

Bezos thinking 🤔 OH YEAH!!! underpants Dec 19 #1

How hard can it be? Traildogbob Dec 19 #2

At the turn of the century.... JohnnyRingo Dec 19 #7

At least Traildogbob Dec 19 #11

Great story! And they're so darned cute! CrispyQ Dec 19 #3

Animals are so much more intelligent than we give credit them. A parrot could do that while singing the hlthe2b Dec 19 #4

Up next: Meet your new food delivery driver. Diamond_Dog Dec 19 #5

Rats driving rat rods seems just so... House of Roberts Dec 19 #6

hahahahaha JohnnyRingo Dec 19 #8

Couldn't help but be reminded of this .... eppur_se_muova Dec 19 #9

A star is born. Baitball Blogger Dec 19 #10

The New York Traildogbob Dec 19 #12

That's amazing and really cute. Dave Bowman Dec 19 #13

It's a real rat race. twodogsbarking Dec 19 #14

Wait 'til they give them cellphones! MadMike47 Dec 19 #15

Humanity started long before humans. cachukis Dec 19 #16

ALSO: Goldfish driving tank, and skateboarding turtle Gaugamela Dec 19 #17

I'll let a rat drive my car before I ever let Tesla's self-driving mode drive. Crowman2009 Dec 19 #18

Definitely the post of the day. Funny but serious too with good lessons for the hoo-manz. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Dec 19 #19

I agree with you, Bernardo ReRe Dec 19 #22

That's quite a complement. JohnnyRingo Dec 19 #24

Love it! Thanks for posting this. Now, can the skateboarding japple Dec 19 #20

it's not a car 4catsmom Dec 19 #21

It's a car in that it has four wheels and drives. JohnnyRingo Dec 19 #29

K&R ReRe Dec 19 #23

Still chuckling about this SheltieLover Dec 19 #25

Five year old article MichMan Dec 19 #26

My source is from this month JohnnyRingo Dec 19 #28

That sounds like Figarosmom Dec 19 #32

Besides being a fun project.... JohnnyRingo Dec 20 #34

That's a better story than the one I saw yesterday. CrispyQ Dec 20 #39

I hope they never have them flying Skittles Dec 19 #27

I love that they like to rev the motor. scipan Dec 19 #30

And they use their turn signals! CrispyQ Dec 20 #40

Thats so cool Figarosmom Dec 19 #31

It won't be long...... JohnnyRingo Dec 20 #35

I dont even get why Figarosmom Dec 20 #38

probably just the male ones Skittles Dec 20 #36

Thats what i told my daughter when i texted her the post Figarosmom Dec 20 #37

I've seen an art project with fish snot Dec 19 #33

I love it. I just love it! chouchou Dec 20 #41

underpants

(189,255 posts)

1. Bezos thinking 🤔 OH YEAH!!!