Researchers Trained Goldfish to Pilot a Tiny Land Vehicle to its Intended Destination

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have successfully trained goldfish to drive a small land vehicle.

Their publication in Behavioral Brain Research outlines how the fish were trained to use the vehicle, as well as their navigational skills. By swimming in specific directions in a tank fitted in place of a driver's seat, the creature may control a Fish Operated Vehicle.

(Photo : Getty Images)

Testing Navigational Ability of Goldfish 

In the past, it has been discovered that some animals, such as rats, have a surprising ability to drive around in their own little rat automobiles. Goldfish were shown to have the same talents as humans in this new study. 

To gain a better understanding of navigational abilities in general, the team in Israel worked on their project.

Additionally, the researchers were interested in learning more about the domain-transfer process used by goldfish and other species to adapt their navigational abilities to new surroundings, according to Physorg.

Researchers wanted to remove a single species out of its natural habitat and put it to the test in a completely new setting. There were six goldfish placed in the vehicle's water tank in the middle of the test arena for the experiment. 

The fish had a target on the walls of the little arena made of colored corrugated boards.

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Further Research on Navigational Skills 

Fish-operated vehicle (FOV): a small fish tank set on a wheeled frame was developed to investigate. An LIDAR system was also attached to the FOV along with a pole-mounted camera and a processor.

LIDAR and a camera were used to locate the fish in its aquarium, as well as the orientation of the tank in relation to the surroundings. The data was analyzed by the processor to determine which direction the field of view should be moved in. The FOV was set to move in the direction of the target when the test fish pointed at it. 

When the fish were left alone in their small fish tanks, the researchers observed how the fish's movements affected their field of view (FOV). After that, they added objectives for the fish, which would reward them with food if they achieved one.

(Photo : Getty Images)

Research Findings

The researchers observed that over time, the fish learned that their behaviors may influence the FOV in a desired way, leading them to a sweet reward. A new setting was introduced, with fish driving their FOV in both indoor and outdoor arenas, as well as with different objectives and obstacles in each location. 

To their delight, they discovered that the fish had little trouble adapting; they headed straight for their prize, exhibiting their navigational prowess with the FOV.

There is a good chance that the fish did not realize that they were piloting an automobile, despite their ability to travel to the goal. They may not have even known they were on land. These ideas may be tested in the future by changing the FOV, according to the researchers. 

This isn't the first time a fish has gotten behind the wheel of a vehicle. As far back as 2014, a Dutch design team designed a goldfish-powered car that was steered by the fish's swimming movements. However, that effort was not intended to be an experiment or to put the fish to the test.

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