Goldfish learn to drive in exchange for food

[enzoalec92]

Quote

For once, I'm absolutely speechless and don't know what else to add, LOL! 🤷‍♂️

<Scientists Trained Goldfish to Drive a Little Car
It's proof that fish are capable of navigation even in unfamiliar environments.

Scientists often create elaborate studies in order to tease out secrets and truths from the animal world. One such work has recently been published, with a group from Ben-Gurion University hoping to determine the true nature of a fish's navigation capabilities, as shared on Twitter. Several goldfish were tasked with driving a robot towards a goal, with the sea creatures proving more than up to the job.

As per the paper available online, the apparatus for the test was relatively straightforward. Goldfish were placed in a small transparent tank of water placed on top of a robot chassis. A camera mounted above the tank tracked the fish's position and orientation. If the fish swam outward towards a given wall, the robot would move in that direction. When the fish drove up to a pink target on the wall, they would be rewarded with food.

Initially, the six fish in the study drove around largely at random. However, tests were regularly performed three times a week, and the fish quickly began to learn that if they drove over to the target area, they would receive food. Over time, the fish became more capable, and could trigger the reward mechanism more times in a single given 30 minute test session.

The researchers wanted to further determine just how well the fish had learned to understand their terrestrial environment. The starting position in the room was changed, and the fish were still able to navigate to the target for a reward. Similarly, adding decoy targets of different colors in the room did not stop fish from achieving the task.

As a further test, the pink target was moved to a different location in the room and the fish were tested again. Initially, fish drove towards the old target location in an attempt to receive a reward. When none was forthcoming, the fish eventually learned that the pink target itself was the key to the task, and began to drive there instead.

The study suggests that a goldfish's navigational abilities are not solely limited to the underwater environment to which they are accustomed. Indeed, a fish can learn to drive a robot in order to secure food. Furthermore, the tiny creatures are also able to build a greater understanding of their world, proven by learning that reaching the pink target, and not simply the original target location, is key to receiving a reward. It also helps clear up the widely-disproven myth that the common pet fish only have a 3-second memory.

We've seen similar studies before, which may seem frivolous, but they teach us a great deal about how organic brains work and their true capabilities. We're still likely a ways off from teaching dogs to drive cars, but such insights are of key importance to learning about animal behavior. Creative test design is key to really determining what's going on inside the brain of a goldfish who otherwise can't tell us what's going on, as ably demonstrated by this study.>

[macrosszero]

Thoroughly disproves the derogatory term of one having the memory of a goldfish then…… they remember where they last got food and are able to problem-solve if it’s not there. 
 

Pretty amazing stuff.

 

[macrosszero]

But on the other hand, PHV, taxi and van drivers also drive to put food on the table so are they essentially goldfish?

🤔

[Jamesc]

I hope PHV driven by goldfish next time.

I am sure will be safer then PHV drivers now.

And ladies will be safer.

No chance of molest.

[Jamesc]

There is a study that showed cows using a toilet.

Each cow urines 15 litres a day and millions of cows pollute our drinking water.

Teach them use toilet we have cleaner water.

 

[Watwheels]

Anyone watched Umbrella Academy?

[Si4dr]

Now I know why my discus fish greet me every time I walk near to tank.........I am their food😱  

[DOBIEMKZ]

14 hours ago, Jamesc said:

There is a study that showed cows using a toilet.

Each cow urines 15 litres a day and millions of cows pollute our drinking water.

Teach them use toilet we have cleaner water.

 

I read that cow farts contribute to global warming and damage the environment. How to resolve that??

[enzoalec92]

17 hours ago, Macrosszero said:

Thoroughly disproves the derogatory term of one having the memory of a goldfish then…… they remember where they last got food and are able to problem-solve if it’s not there. 
 

Pretty amazing stuff.

 

Yep, this was already disproven by Mythbusters many years ago: 

 

15 hours ago, Macrosszero said:

But on the other hand, PHV, taxi and van drivers also drive to put food on the table so are they essentially goldfish?

🤔

🤷‍♂️

1 hour ago, Watwheels said:

Anyone watched Umbrella Academy?

This just conjures up memories of those "Has science gone too far?" headlines.

46 minutes ago, Si4dr said:

Now I know why my discus fish greet me every time I walk near to tank.........I am their food😱  

As long as you don't own piranhas, you should be safe!

[enzoalec92]

By the way, I came across a YouTube video with better production quality on this topic of driving goldfish when searching for the Mythbusters episode about goldfish memory in response to @Macrosszero's initial comment: 

 

[Jamesc]

2 hours ago, DOBIEMKZ said:

I read that cow farts contribute to global warming and damage the environment. How to resolve that??

Stop the farts.

Eat the cow!

That's why I do to help the environment.