Pigs can be trained to use computer joysticks, say researchers

[Judi Lynn]

Study found pigs were able to move a cursor to hit a wall on a screen and earn a treat

Nicola Davis Science correspondent
@NicolaKSDavis
Thu 11 Feb 2021 00.15 EST

They’ve long been thought of as smarter than your average animal, but now researchers claim they have taught pigs to use a joystick, suggesting they are even cleverer than previously thought.

Pigs have previously been found to be capable of a host of tasks, including solving multiple-choice puzzles, and learning commands such as “sit”.

Now researchers in the US say they have successfully trained four pigs to manipulate a joystick and control a cursor on a monitor.

“Potentially there may be more that pigs are capable of learning and understanding and responding to than we have previously envisaged,” said Prof Candace Croney of Purdue University, who co-authored the research.

Writing in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, Croney and co-author Dr Sarah Boysen report how they used tasty treats to train the pigs to move the joysticks using their snouts while watching a computer screen.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/11/pigs-can-be-trained-to-use-computer-joysticks-say-researchers

[YDogg]

1. I'm surprised they are not too ham-fisted ...

... to operate the joystick effectively.

[underpants]

2. As if gaming wasn't sad enough

[cstanleytech]

3. Well now its nice to see Trump found something to do other than golf.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Pretty sure I've met some of them. nt