Scientists train goldfish to drive a fish-operated vehicle

In summary, Scientists have successfully trained goldfish to drive a "fish tank on wheels" in a terrestrial environment using a downward-looking camera and lidar sensor. This project has drawn comparisons to other animal training experiments, such as using pigeons to direct a mob in WW2 and teaching chimps to fly nuclear bombers. However, further research is needed to determine the success rate compared to a random walk. Unfortunately, the project will not be featured in any new episodes of The Big Bang Theory.
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  • #2
Coming soon, Cars 4 - Driving Nemo. :oldtongue:
 
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  • #3
Can I get this as a skin for GTA 6?
 
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  • #4
How about Fuber -- Fish uber ?
 
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  • #5
Wouldn't they have to be trained to use an app?
 
  • #6
Borg said:
Wouldn't they have to be trained to use an app?
The FOV is, in essence, a fish tank on wheels. Unlike the rat-mobile, there are no physical controls for the fish to learn to use. Instead, a downward-looking camera tracks the fish's position in the tank. If the fish is near one of the tank walls and is facing outward, the fish-control algorithm (which runs on an onboard Raspberry Pi 3B+) will move the FOV in that direction. A lidar sensor on the same mast overrides the fish control algorithm if the FOV comes within 20 cm of the walls of the terrestrial environment, a 4x3 meter enclosure.

and here's the video

 
  • #7
Interesting. I found a very similar video from 2014. Looks like it might be the same group.
 
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  • #8
In WW2, there work on using pigeons to direct a mob to a target:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Pigeon?wprov=sfti1

in the movies, there was Project X where chimps were taught to fly nuclear bombers since they had no notion of nuclear radiation and would fly until they die

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_X_(1987_film)

and let’s not forget the Shaggy Dog

1641355276960.jpeg
 
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  • #9
Sounds kinda fishy!

Did they do a comparison if a random walk would be just as successful.
 
  • #10
Too bad they are not making new episodes of The Big Bang Theory. I'm sure they could have had fun with a mobile fish tank. Perhaps with Sheldon in the tank.
 
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1. How do scientists train goldfish to drive a fish-operated vehicle?

Scientists use a process called "conditioning" to train goldfish to drive a fish-operated vehicle. This involves teaching the fish to associate a specific action, such as swimming towards a target, with a reward, such as food. Over time, the fish learns to perform the action in order to receive the reward, and this behavior can be shaped into driving the vehicle.

2. Why would scientists want to train goldfish to drive a fish-operated vehicle?

Scientists are interested in studying the cognitive abilities of animals and how they learn and make decisions. By training goldfish to drive a fish-operated vehicle, researchers can gain insight into the intelligence and problem-solving skills of these small animals.

3. Can any type of goldfish be trained to drive a fish-operated vehicle?

Yes, most types of goldfish can be trained to drive a fish-operated vehicle as long as they are physically capable of swimming and have basic cognitive abilities. However, some breeds of goldfish may be more receptive to training than others.

4. How long does it take for a goldfish to learn to drive a fish-operated vehicle?

The amount of time it takes for a goldfish to learn to drive a fish-operated vehicle can vary depending on the individual fish and the training methods used. Some goldfish may learn the task quickly, while others may take longer to grasp the concept. On average, it may take several weeks to train a goldfish to successfully drive a vehicle.

5. What are the potential implications of this research on training goldfish to drive a fish-operated vehicle?

This research can have implications in the fields of animal behavior, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience. It can also provide insight into the capabilities and limitations of different animal species, and may have practical applications in training animals for tasks such as search and rescue missions or environmental monitoring. Additionally, this research can help us better understand the intelligence and learning abilities of goldfish and other fish species.

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