New Zealand rescue dogs trained to operate vehicles, pass drivers test on closed circuit race track
———————————————————————
Two mutts made history yesterday by driving a car down a racetrack. Ten-month-old beardie cross Porter put his paws to the pedals first, steering the Mini down the straight and then turning a corner.
He was followed by Monty, an 18-month-old giant schnauzer cross, who completed the same feat.
As the Mail reported last week, the pair – along with one-year-old beardie whippet cross Ginny – had been taking driving lessons, which began with them learning to steer a wooden cart pulled along on a string by their trainers.
In just eight weeks, they progressed to driving a real car – a modified Mini in which they sat on their haunches in the driver’s seat.
Their front paws were on the steering wheel, while their back paws were on levers attached to the accelerator and the brake.
The dogs were all rescued by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Auckland, New Zealand. The charity came up with the idea to train them to drive to prove how intelligent they were.
UC Berkeley scientists have developed a system to capture visual activity in human brains and reconstruct it as digital video clips. Eventually, this process will allow you to record and reconstruct your own dreams on a computer screen.
more here
A cargo container that apparently fell from a ship washed up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Thursday and spilled thousands of bags of Doritos brand tortilla chips on the beach. People collected the chips, which were apparently still fresh due to their airtight packaging. It was unknown which ship had lost the cargo or to what port it was bound.
heaven on earth
