Driving On: Latest on Driving Rats Research Project

In 2019, a team of psychology researchers at the University of Richmond published their research about teaching rats to drive, which caught the attention of more than 1,500 news outlets in 40 countries. The results of this important research may inform future strategies for mental health treatments. The work has continued. With new cars and new components added to the equation, Kelly Lambert, a professor of behavioral neuroscience who is leading the research team, explains the latest developments in this innovative research.

[@qm230]

Actually researchers get 1.7k views, news sites and random people get 500k+ views. Yup that's youtube

[@brianblackmore1678]

In another 2yr the rats will be so bored unless they too can drive to a different movie every 35sec. 😞

[@iole96792]

@@brianblackmore1678 They won't live that long unfortunately

[@E-1K]

"It's just fun to watch a rat drive a car."
So true!
From what I'm putting together from hearing a few different bits on all this is that there is also some enjoyment of driving experienced by the rats. Would it be possible to give them a choice of task leading to the same reward to determine which task is more appealing? If all else is equal which is preferential?
(Anything to see more rats driving cars!) ☺️

[@drrodopszin]

You should make a little course or maze for them to see they can navigate that as well as good as they do without a car.

[@laur-unstagenameactuallyca1587]

this is the cutest thing ever

[@petterrodebjer4743]

Gets you thinking about education and how sturdy routines contribute to greatness. Given the correct incentives and perhaps passing on experience between generations, how far could rats, and animals for that sake, go to replicate human behavior and intelligence. We seem to find more and more of ourselves in other species as we take them seriously and learn more about their behaviors (for instance, intergenerational wealth).

[@CdeFoudre]

What I need is the blue print of the rat racing car to be able to build this for my pet rats as enrichment :3 Also so happy to see these rats had more proper living quarters than they usually do! I almost cried seeing it.

[@lissakaye610]

This would be the funnest study to work on. I would love to see the protocol on this. ❤ I love the enrichment you guys provide.

[@jodders619]

Rat in a few years "The Richmond University V12, really... goes like when I flicked the cat's bottom withanelastic band" *leans on the bonnet wearing jacket and jeans* "and now back to the studio where Richard Hamster is trying a speed record, down the stairs by the Nurberg ring, in the all new Dyson Sphere. Vets on standby!"

[@C-Rex1]

They should pit two against each other and have a "rat race". 😆

[@skybudd]

Have you guys ever watched Stuart Little!? They been knowing about this lol.

[@Mr-Ad-196]

Ask the military for fund...... tell them now we can strap a pistol to a tiny car with a rat that can drive the tiny car...........
Aight it's just a joke...... probably.......lol.

[@정동우-n2x]

LOL

[@chunhchan]

Seriously what is the point of this? Just teach them to use uber

[@catmomjewett]

😂

[@AmericastCasi]

what to they use/ how do they steer?

[@johnl272]

Less talking and more driving!

[@ccompson2]

1:45 I'm just gonna put this rod through my windshield

[@catmomjewett]

My dad’s alma mater! He’d be so…proud? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@cybersid]

Rats !