Scientists constantly use laboratory animals, in particular rats, as models for the study of various mental disorders inherent in humans. In the course of such work, it is possible to study the effect of narcotic drugs and the mechanisms of the development of depression, and the obtained data can be used to treat people.
Japanese researchers conducted an experiment that will surely be remembered for a long time by the animals participating in it. A team from Waseda University decided to test how rats will get along with their mechanical counterpart.
For this, the scientists created the WR-3 robot, which turned out to be a real "terminator" from the rodent world. Equipped with a video surveillance camera, a maneuverable wheel drive and a minicomputer, this neighbor was not very friendly.
In total, two work algorithms were used. In one case, a robot chased and crashed into rats every time they moved. In another version, a false attack tactic was used, when the robot pretended to attack a moving neighbor, but at the last moment it stopped and retreated.
It turned out that fake attacks most quickly put the rodents into a state of depression. Animals in constant fear soon became less active.
In additional experiments, the robot terrorized rats by trying to steal food from them or circling around at high speed. As a result of these actions, some of the animals were so scared that they preferred not to leave the shelter.
It is not yet clear how indicative the work of Japanese scientists is in relation to humans. For obvious reasons, it will most likely fail to conduct an experiment in which a humanoid terminator will chase people and take food from them.
The results of the study were published in the journal Advanced Robotics, the full text of the article can also be found by following the link.
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