RatCar is a Car Operated by a Rat's Brain



Researchers at the University of Tokyo created an interface that allows a rat to move a small car around with just his thoughts:

The rats were trained on the car by towing it around an enclosed area with the motors disengaged. A vision system positioned above tracked the rats by following colored markers on their backs and the vehicle. It fed the positions into a "locomotion estimation model" program that correlated the motion of the animals with readings from the electrodes.

Next the rats were suspended more tightly to the car so their limbs touched the floor only slightly. The researchers then switched the system into "neuro-robotic mode," with the neural signals used to help drive the car. Six out of eight rats used in the study adapted well to the car.


The researchers hope that this project will lead to the development of thought-controlled mobility aids for disabled humans.

Link via Popular Science | Photo: IEEE Spectrum

I know that animal testing goes on, and I'm generally supportive of it, but I wish the scientists would do stuff like this without me seeing it in action. Same way that I don't want to see my steak die. When the end products for humans come out, show me then.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I have seen rats with electrodes in their brains since preschool. While I understand that it is necessary part of experimentation, how does a photo like that encourage humans to look forward to this technology?
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Wow, I know you're joking but rats didn't kill people it was the disease in the rats and that still does not justify things like this. I really wish people wouldn't accept ignorance of this kind of thing just for technological advance, it's really pessimistic and speaks poorly of character. Also, there are plenty of humans who are willing to take part in these types of tests, animal testing is outdated and just cruel.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
@CatRSQ

"Animal testing has to go. It's outdated and unneeded."

That's a pretty sweeping statement. Sure you are right that many types of animal testing ARE outdated and uneeded (such as testing cosmetics), but animal testing is a crucial part of the medical industry in developing new, more effective medicines, and establishing their safeness.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I agree with Jessss. Animal testing is a vital step in the development of medical devices that save millions of lives per year. The idea that there are plenty of people that would sign up for the appropriate tests is foolish on too many levels to list. How about the people who think animal testing is abhorrent and cruel wave the use of all lifesaving medical techniques on themselves that involved animal testing?

The bigger problem is that people involved with kind of testing are often (in my opinion) desensitized to importance of an animal's life and perform unnecessary tests. Cosmetics are one egregious example. As is bio-compatibility of materials. I think we could greatly reduce the lost of life in test animals by small modifications in government and testing protocols.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
At first the rat was unhappy with his weird, cumbersome getup. Then he saw some little dogs forced to wear costumes and sweaters. Now he counts his blessings.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
i have never once complained about a post here but...this one is definitely something i do NOT want to see a photo of. i despise animal testing - although i know that some of it is necessary. what's NOT necessary is posting a photo of one of these unfortunate animals with its brain exposed, strapped into a 'RatCar'. i can't unsee that photo and that is not only NOT NEAT, it sucks.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
It's not the rat, it's us.

If you dislike putting a worm on a hook, it does not matter that the worm may not feel pain like you and I, it is that we can live with ourselves with the appearance of pain caused by ourselves.

I am no high-horser, I go to a sushi restaurant and order soft shell crab, and seeing the crab plucked out of the tank.

I just hope I don't get to a point where I don't feel bad about it.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Disgusting. Animal testing of any kind is disgusting. You would think in such an "advanced" world, we would have other methods of learning and experimenting.

It's disgusting that it's treated so light-heartedly, as seen in Neatorama putting up such a post. Shame.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
I am hoping no one in the "animal testing of any kind is disgusting" crowd never needs or has taken penicillin, insulin, chemotherapy or a heart bypass. Without animal testing, none of these would have come to be.

I believe that we should be good stewards of the world, including its wildlife. There is indeed no excuse for animal testing for cosmetics and other trivial things. I also understand that computer modeling and analysis can (and has) replace much of this testing. But in no way can I argue that a rat's life is equal to a human's, and if this kind of testing will one day allow an amputee to easily ambulate then I am not one to sit in judgement.

And hiding your head in the sand is no answer either. If you can't face the fact that your medicines and foods are the result of the sacrifices of animals, then you deserve neither.

Seeing this picture saddens me. I have had many pet rats. They are intelligent and affectionate, and I have grown very fond of them. But to not accept and fully face the truth of the necessity of some animal testing is just weak and cowardly.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
accepting the fact does not mean that i need to see it pop up unexpectedly. i would prefer to be given the choice to see it or not - perhaps i would like to "fully face the truth..." a little later on - not sandwiched in between a video of 'Adorable Bunny Rabbits in Paper Cups' and a post about 'Light-Sensitive Musical Instrument is Played by Moving Your Fingertips'.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Error94>Previous medical tests that got "penicillin, insulin, chemotherapy or a heart bypass" etc are done. There is nothing that can be changed about the tests of the past. But there is something that can be done with future testing. You would think with such advanced science, society would fund ways into researching new methods then just throwing money at old testing schemes. How long have we been looking for a cure for Cancer?
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 23 comments




Email This Post to a Friend
"RatCar is a Car Operated by a Rat's Brain"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More