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
(197,267 posts)Rats driving. Payroll in Fruit Loops.
The problem is that the southern rats keep their turn signal on.
Traildogbob
(13,166 posts)Have ya seen people drive of Late?????
JohnnyRingo
(21,009 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
(13,166 posts)The rats knew there were turn signals. When did UAW limit that cost to CEOs
CrispyQ
(41,115 posts)Their stress hormones were lower after driving. Wait till they put lots of them on the road.
hlthe2b
(114,738 posts)"best of Beyonce."
Diamond_Dog
(41,160 posts)House of Roberts
(6,646 posts)appropriate!
JohnnyRingo
(21,009 posts)I hadn't thought of that! I wish I would have included it in the post.

eppur_se_muova
(42,555 posts)Baitball Blogger
(52,736 posts)Who doesn't see them starring in their own Disney movie?
Traildogbob
(13,166 posts)Traffic will blow up. New taxi drivers will work for slices of street pizza.
Dave Bowman
(7,481 posts)😃
twodogsbarking
(19,408 posts)Thanks JR, best to you.
MadMike47
(170 posts)cachukis
(4,088 posts)Gaugamela
(3,577 posts)You have to click through to YouTube to watch:
Crowman2009
(3,602 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(60,320 posts)ReRe
(12,190 posts)This entire thread has been so enjoyable. I laughed and learned so much!
JohnnyRingo
(21,009 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
(21,009 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
(12,190 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
(81,819 posts)TY for sharing this and brightening our day.
MichMan
(17,421 posts)JohnnyRingo
(21,009 posts)They're talking about letting them race.
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/rats-driving-in-richmond-dec-17-2024
Figarosmom
(13,568 posts)A fun study. I wonder what it is they say they are trying to prove to justify the srudy.
JohnnyRingo
(21,009 posts)"Lamberts study aims to explore the relationship between animals and their environments, how their cognition develops, and how they process new skills."
CrispyQ
(41,115 posts)You can see the door they cut in the bottle for the rats to get in & out. Thanks!
Skittles
(172,982 posts)that would mean even MORE drone reports
scipan
(3,109 posts)CrispyQ
(41,115 posts)Figarosmom
(13,568 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
(21,009 posts)..before some of them start rolling coal and make everyone miserable.
Figarosmom
(13,568 posts)Humans do that. I used to be embarrassing to have a car emmitting smoke
Skittles
(172,982 posts)Figarosmom
(13,568 posts)Of the article
snot
(11,852 posts)doing the same thing. They were in fish bowls sitting on the the little vehicles.