Rescue Rats to Find Buried Victims 183
adaminnj writes "Rats are being trained to sniff out the buried victims of earthquakes and bomb blasts and could be sent to search for survivors in the same way as dogs. The idea of being rescued by a rat may not appeal to many people, but they have the advantage of being able to crawl almost anywhere and slip through small holes and crevices. Like dogs, they also have a highly acute sense of smell. But to be successful rescuers, they must be able to home in on victims and signal their position to waiting rescue teams."
rats? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:rats? (Score:3, Funny)
I'm not sure I like where this is going. I'm trapped deep in a pile of rubble, waiting to be rescued...
Re:rats? (Score:2)
You're not kidding (Score:2)
Perfect (Score:5, Funny)
A modest proposal? (Score:2)
And the next thing you know, someone will be trying to train Pirhanas for underwater rescue missions...
They're too dumb, but otherwise feasible (Score:2)
The only real barrier to SAR pirhana is that they're too dumb. You'd basically need a
Re:Perfect (Score:2)
As crazy as it sounds, nobody give these animals any credit. If it was not for mice testing, your hairspray may cost $100 a bottle. And people spread disesases too, so why blame the poor thing. Finally someone have figured out a way to use them for a new purpose.
Fleas (Score:2)
Re:Fleas (Score:2)
Of course they do, every animal, no matter how clean, has it's own fair share of diseases, some of which are capable of being transmitted to other species, sometimes including humans.
Rats (and rodents in general) may not be any more filthy than other animals, but they pose a problem because they're more common in inhabited areas, and come in contact with humans (and perhaps more importantly) and human foodstuffs quite often. You don't want
Re:Perfect (Score:2)
This gives me an image of a lab full of mice with 'Flock of Seagulls' hair.
*Shudder*
Re:Perfect (Score:2)
As crazy as it sounds, nobody give these animals any credit.
One rodent gets a lot of credit. Royalties too. M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E
Re:Perfect (Score:2)
Signalling position (Score:2)
Ah, and don't forget this:
But to be successful rescuers, they must be able to home in on victims and signal their position to waiting rescue teams.
How do you think the rats "signal" when they've found a new survivor? They can't bark like dogs do, after all.... My guess is that the searchers depend on the person found to make some kind of "signal", when they wake up to find a rat nibbling curiously on their earlo
Interesting... (Score:5, Funny)
But what happens when they come running to find that the rat has uncovered the world's largest cache of underground cheese?
Re:Interesting... (Score:3, Interesting)
That's a valid question, though. I wonder how they would deal with that. Do you think rats might have a developed enough emotional system to allow a monitor to discern between happiness at a job well done, as compared to, "cheeeeeeeeeese"?
I have to wonder if we're capable of emulating animal brains and just don't know it yet. It seems to me that we could feasibly create something in a small package, maybe terrier sized (gotta have room for batteries) that uses 400hz power (fo
Re:Interesting... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Interesting... (Score:2)
My pet rats once went through the entire couch, pulling out everything they found and bringing it to me. This apparently was a fun game for them.
Things they found: pens, pencils, a plastic ring like you'd get at the fair, several G. I. Joe guns and parts, a small film negative, a toothpick, and several other things I don't remember.
Funny thing is that the pens and pencils are just about all I can explain. The others look about 5+ years old, at least. It's like an archeological dig. For rats.
One of the
Re:Interesting... (Score:2)
Re:Interesting... (Score:2)
I own two female pet rats, and let me tell you: they believe in higher purpose. When they get it into their heads that something is really neat, or interesting, you cannot distract them with enough food. Well, not for long.
Friend of mine occaisionally comes over, and he's allergic to the rats so doesn't want them on him. Problem is that the rats think he's really neat, so they'll constantly try to get on him, whether that involves flying leaps from the couch to his chair, climbing a pants leg, or just per
nibbled, not saved (Score:5, Funny)
Re:nibbled, not saved (Score:2)
Hmm ... and emergency rood for the trapped victim (Score:5, Funny)
Dunno what this transmitter thing is, must have got trapped around the creature somewhere..."
Re:Hmm ... and emergency rood for the trapped vict (Score:2)
Re:Hmm ... and emergency rood for the trapped vict (Score:3, Funny)
Ah, finally a chance for a Black Adder quote.
Black Adder:
What's on the menu?
Baldrick:
Rat. Saute or fricasse?
Black Adder:
Oh, the agony of choice. And sauteed involves?
Baldrick:
Well, you take the freshly shaved rat, and you marinate it in a puddle for awhile.
Black Adder:
Uh-hmm, for how long?
Baldrick:
'Til it's drowned. Then you stick it out under a hot light bulb, then you get within dashing distance of the latrine and you scoff it
Re:Hmm ... and emergency rood for the trapped vict (Score:2)
"Hurrah! A rat, something to eat and drink at last! Dunno what this transmitter thing is, must have got trapped around the creature somewhere..."
They've been using rescue rats for years in the Swiss Alps. They tie miniature kegs to their necks so stranded people can stay warm one shot of booze at a time.
Re:Hmm ... and emergency rood for the trapped vict (Score:2)
I know that many of us are waiting for the rescue cow, pig, lamb and fish. I personally can't wait for the rescue tofu cube.
Are these *robotic* rats? (Score:2)
Re:Are these *robotic* rats? (Score:2)
Just imagine... (Score:5, Funny)
oh joy
Re:Just imagine... (Score:2)
Appeal (Score:5, Insightful)
I bet it'd appeal more to most people than 'don't be rescued' though...
True ... (Score:4, Insightful)
Yes, not getting rescued would definitely suck. But I hope they put these little suckers in some little 'rat rescue' uniform, otherwise when the rat does find the person, that person it going to be scared shitless that not only are they buried but the rats have started to find them.
Heck, maybe a little rat loud-speaker saying "don't panic, this is a trained rescue rat" on a loop or someting.
Cheers
Re:True ... (Score:2)
I think if I was trapped under a building for days and a little rat in a uniform came by me saying he was on the rescue team, the first thing I'd do is ask if he's from NIMH.
-Colin [colingregorypalmer.net]
Also for mines (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Also for mines (Score:2)
Yeah, and unlike dogs (or small children), nobody complains if they find them (kaboom).
great.... (Score:3, Funny)
Rats running telecom and network cables... (Score:5, Interesting)
Daedalus had this idea several thousand years ago (Score:2)
In ancient Greece, Daedalus was said to have solved the problem of running a thread through a chambered nautilus by attaching it to an ant.
Re:Daedalus had this idea several thousand years a (Score:2)
Yeah, I saw that episode too. But Herc and Newt still showed up and kicked his ass.
Ben.... (Score:5, Funny)
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you, my friend, will see
You've got a friend in me
(you've got a friend in me)
Ben, you're always running here and there
Finding dead bodies everywhere
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
Keep going and follow my distant calls
Under these broken walls
(under these broken walls)
I used to scream "HELP!!!" and "ME"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
I used to scream "HELP!!!" and "ME"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
Ben, most people would turn you away
I can't hear a word they say
They only see you as some trouble
Searching all this rubble
I'm sure they'd think again
If they had a friend like Ben
(a friend) Like Ben
(like Ben) Like Ben
Oh Rats! (Score:3, Funny)
Rodents in general (Score:5, Interesting)
I read of a project that was training weasels, or maybe ferrets, something in that family for the same type of thing. They're naturally curious, able to squeeze through unimaginable spots, etc.
The weasels were big enough to strap a little camera and transmitter to, and the idea was that they'd just go everywhere in the rubble.. Their natural curiosity would handle that part.
Them biting/eating victims (another natural instinct) was a problem. So the rescue critters would be "de-fanged", or rather have their teeth filed down when it was time to actually go to work. This of course, cripples the animal for the rest of it's life but the logic is "we sacrifice a couple of chinchillas to save one human life and it's worth it".
Of course, PETA and the like threw a fit. But even "animal lovers" look the other way when it comes to rats.
You're making that up. (Score:2)
Re:You're making that up. (Score:2)
I'm sure if they were to use any animal for search and rescue, it would have had immense human contact while young and the urge to bite a human would not exist. Any notion that a search and rescue animal might devoure the discovered victim is luticrious.
Re:You're making that up. (Score:2)
Well, when you post something with a.) no references b.) facts that obviously haven't been checked, and c.) contradictory statements, then you either made it all up, or half-remember some story you read a few years ago and are filling in the details you don't recall.
I do know that ferrets fucking bite. Yup, you're right. My two ferrets bite each other all the time. But you're confusing play-fighting with an attempt to
Re:and even if they were rodents...Chew toy. (Score:2)
I have my mother in law suspended over a pit of ravenous wolverines. Unless you buy our product I will lower her into the pit.
Please save the wolverines from this horrible fate.
Re:Rodents in general (Score:2)
Heres a quick google [thelantern.com] about it.
Re:Rodents in general (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Rodents in general (Score:2)
(Although I quickly learned that dunking an unruly ferret underwater, or sticking the little bastard under a shower head, will convince him to let go. They don't se
Re:Rodents in general (Score:2)
Mal-2
The science bit... (Score:5, Interesting)
I thought wrong.
The
bomb atack (Score:4, Funny)
Re:bomb atack (Score:2)
Re:bomb atack (Score:2)
how is this Flamebait? (Score:2)
wtf?
rending flesh microphones (Score:5, Funny)
Slowarses! (Score:2, Informative)
The REAL question is ..... (Score:4, Funny)
Article text (in case of /.'ing) (Score:2, Informative)
Rescue rats will sniff out buried victims
JOHN INNES
RATS are being trained to sniff out the buried victims of earthquakes and bomb blasts and could be sent to search for survivors in the same way as dogs.
The idea of being rescued by a rat may not appeal to many people, but they have the advantage of being able to crawl almost anywhere and slip through small holes and crevices.
Like dogs, they also have a highly acute sense of smell.
But to be successful rescuers, they must be able to home in on thei
Better make minature barrels for their necks (Score:4, Funny)
They better dress these disease caddies in orange jumpsuits and affix a shot of something to a barrel under their necks.
Re:Better make minature barrels for their necks (Score:2)
Pets (Score:2)
They are smart, clean, and gentle..
Its the garden variety outdoor wild-rat that are the nasty ones that might just as well eat
a victim than save one....
Rat Safety (Score:2)
Not only would PETA be upset, but that's a waste of neuro implants!
And how do they make sure the rats seek out victims only and not rescuers?
great robots [IK-bot] (Score:3, Interesting)
Slashdot links this article [scotsman.com] on cyborg rats used in search and rescue. I've been told that one big problem is giving a guarantee that the rats don't begin eating the people (dead or alive) they find. I suppose that the stimulation of pleasure centers of the brain would dominate other such carnal urges. All of this is desirable for a few reasons. The computer-rat brain interface research is also very applicable to computer-human brain interface. I just went to this [cmu.edu]very interesting talk on the subject. Further, very dexterous robots with high level perception are few and far between. A rat is amazingly mobile and also has an excellent perception suite. Of course, along the way, projects like this could save lives, and that is always wonderful.
Working Animals (Score:3, Interesting)
Using animals as workers is actually something I like the idea of. Like mixing llamas in with sheep. The llamas will adopt the sheep as it's flock and the sheep aren't afraid of the llama. But a llama can and will kick a coyote's ass if one comes sniffing around. (And literally kick the coyote's ass.) I do feel sorry for the people that have to volunteer to lie under rubble while they're training the rats though, but hey, its for a good cause. (How would you put that on your resume? Well yes, for 6 months last year I was employed as a trapped earthquake victim for rat training. No, seriously.)
Re:Working Animals (Score:2)
My parents recently gave away a llama (he was too lazy for backpacking) to a farmer who needed a llama to guard some sheep from dogs and coyotes. They are very protective of other herd animals they live with.
check out NewScientist (Score:5, Informative)
If you like stories about animals sniffing things, they also have stories about giant rats sniffing out tuberculosis [newscientist.com] and dogs sniffing bladder cancer [newscientist.com] just to name two recent stories. I check out their news section first thing in the morning, then the nytimes, then slashdot.
Interesting idea (Score:4, Insightful)
After working with them, we found them to be pretty intelligent and very clean. On top of that, they seem to be able to get into amazing places.
We had a pair of rats in particular that we kept as "pets" (the rest were used for breeding and were sold to pet stores). These two rats were large, white and housebroken (easier to do with a rat than a dog). They got along very well with our two cats and one dog. We used to sit, watching TV with them curled up on our laps.
All that being said, although I've never had to be rescued from a collapsed building, I have had to be rescued from a plane crash in the boonies before. Frankly, I wouldn't have cared if they sent a Kodiak Grizzly to find me, I just wanted to be rescued. However, having crashed in a grizzly area, I'd have to admit that it would have been emotionally distressing for me and potentially dangerous for the bear (I don't fly over those areas unarmed - for good reason).
So, (and I can only imagine here) being buried under a pile of rubble, I'm pretty sure I'd be worried about rats in the first place (keep in mind I like rats - but I also know them). This rat-rescuer had better be very well marked as such or it's history. For someone, like my mother, it would be traumatic to be rescued by a rat, but if she were burried, and the rat was marked as a "rescue-rat", even she might come around.
As far as being able to train a rat to do the deed, I have no doubt that it can be done. But there are going to be quite a few perceptual hurdles to overcome. For many, it'd be like training a snake to rescue people. They could get into even tighter spaces, but half your victims would die of fright before you could get them out and you'd be pulling out a badly beaten snake for the other half.
Humans have acute sense of smell, too (Score:2)
So you could smell stuff as good as a dog, if you want to put it in your mouth.
Re:Humans have acute sense of smell, too (Score:2)
Actually, dogs still have a much, much better sense of smell than we do. They have (depending on the breed), around 20 times more receptors than we do, and that's nothing to sneeze at.
In tests where a person lightly touched an object, dogs were able to pick up the smell after the object had been left outside as long as two weeks.
Of course, no animal is equally receptive to every single smell imaginable. Just like some smells are much stronger to us than others, the same is true of dogs - but yo
Re:Humans have acute sense of smell, too (Score:2)
Dogs basically have their sense of smell on the outside of their wet noses. I'm sure that if people could set lightly touched objects against their olfactory receptors inside the nasal cavities, we could tell who had touched things, too.
Re:Humans have acute sense of smell, too (Score:2)
Well, put your idea to the test: Have your friend fart in a room while he's walking around. Go in there with your mouth open, so the airborn smells are hitting the receptors in your mouth and nose. Try and figure out which path he walked in the room. If you can't do it, my dog wins! : )
steve
Re:Humans have acute sense of smell, too (Score:2)
Then, take patches of couch cushion and shove it up into your nasal canal until you get a positive ID. steve too.
Re:Humans have acute sense of smell, too-Hind-sigh (Score:2)
Some people are nutes (Score:4, Insightful)
If I'm trapped under a collapsed building after an earthquake for a week, drinking my own urine and eating scraps of drywall, I don't care if it's RMS and Darl McBride who rescue me while debating the GPL.
Bounty Bear (Score:2)
I will found out where he's at.
I'm sniffing.
And now for sale... (Score:2)
Rats are crazy (Score:2)
Those guys have experienced modernity long enough to forget that rats deserve their bad reputation in human history. A young girl I know just realized recently how bad the idea of owning a rat as a pet is. She had it as one of those quirky, wannabe-alternative drives and even made her roommate imitate her and get a rat too, in not too long her rat ate her roommate's rat, and as a result she got her roommate a bunny, but her rat, again, attacked the bunny and ate its eyelid and ears.
Rats are notoriously unr
Look... (Score:2)
Oh wait, this isn't a cartoon.
Why not just put a cellphone on a lunar lander like thing and send it in and make the phone ring?
Well that, and... (Score:2)
And, you know, not try to eat them before the rescue team gets there...
This is progress (Score:2)
Much more successful than the experiment with rescue grizzlies.
Wow, who knew Disney employed futurists? (Score:2)
Stimulation of the pleasure center (Score:2)
In related news (Score:2)
Rats and tight spaces (Score:2)
I wonder how much their tracking equipment would limit their mobility through tight spaces? Well, regardless, being able to squeeze through a 2 inch space is almost as good as a 1 inch space.
Oh, and there's another danger besides rats gnawing on trapped v
Anyone else think of 1984 when they saw this? (Score:2)
The door opened again. A guard came in, carrying something made of wire, a box or basket of some kind. He set it down on the further table. Because of the position in which O'Brien was standing. Winston could not see what the thing was.
'The worst thing in the world,' said O'Brien, 'varies from individual to individual. It m
Rescue Rangers? (Score:2)
C'mon, you can sing it with me, you know the tune...
Some times some crimes
Go slippin' through the cracks
But these two gumshoes
Are pickin' up the slack
There's no case too big, no case too small
When you need help just call
Ch-ch-ch-Chip 'n Dale's [sic]
Rescue Range
rats... (Score:2)
Bodies and landmines (Score:2)
landmine detection [theage.com.au]
After all, if a rat is blown up, no one is going to cry a river (unlike a human EOD expert).
Go rats!
Re:See this from the victims point of view (Score:2)
I imagine that if they're turning loose rats, they'll use some loudspeakers or something to attempt to warn people. And I'd put the rats in an orange vest or something, where it's obviously not a wild rat. Heck, maybe the rats will be equipped with 2 way radios, so the operator can talk to the victim.
But I'll take a little fear over being left to slowly die while trapped by a steel beam anyday.
BTW, the movie 'Willard' has probably done more to give rats a bad name image than anything other single modern
Re:See this from the victims point of view (Score:2)
Yeah, because the Black Plague just wasn't enough. People have despised rats for millenia due to their connection with filth and disease; there is no "modern thing" responsible, especially not a movie that nobody saw from last year.
Re:Time machine (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Time machine (Score:3, Interesting)
Not only that, but rats are also dirt-cheap - unlike an equally-equipped "robot" would be. Yeah, this is the 21st century, and humans do think they rule the planet, but nature really does have a head start on us.
Besides, robots would just eat old people's medicine for fuel.
Robots cant smell (Score:3, Insightful)
Animals do this by 2nd nature.. And they are cheap...
Re:Robots cant smell (Score:2)
Sure, with enough research, but trained rats might cost a few hundred million less in research.
Kinda like the reason that we still use leeches and just started using maggots again. They do a job that we can't duplicate effectivly or economically, despite the 'ick factor'.
Re:small dogs (Score:3, Insightful)
So do ferrets. But I'd imagine they're too cute for most people to want to set them free in burning rubble.
Almost... (Score:2)
Re:"Rescue Rats"? (Score:2)
Re:sounds like a good idea (Score:2)
Horny little bastards, that lot is.