USA, Oct. 28 -- Researchers at Richmond University have taught rats to drive cars to collect food, relaxing them in the process.

The experiment was conducted by behavioral neuroscience professor Dr Kelly Lambert to demonstrate that an enriched environment could improve cognitive function and help sharpen the ability to learn complex tasks.

A plastic food container was converted into a small car, named Rodent Operated Vehicle (ROV), by adding electric wheels and copper bars to steer the vehicle sideways and forward.

Out of the 11 rats tested, six were housed in standard laboratory cages, while the remaining five were housed in an "enriched environment," which resembled their natural habitat.

Rats that were housed in a better environmen...