These tiny rat backpacks are designed to help find victims in an earthquake
All too often rats get a bad rap. They can be vectors of disease, and cities like New York invest heavily in fighting them . But maybe it’s just that we’re not seeing their potential. Once trained, backpack-wearing African giant pouched rats can save lives. To assist in disaster recovery like an earthquake or building collapse, the nonprofit APOPO trains rats nicknamed “RescueRATs” to get into…
Rats often face negative stereotypes, yet they possess untapped potential. Nonprofit APOPO has trained African giant pouched rats, known as “RescueRATs,” to aid disaster recovery efforts such as earthquakes or building collapses. These rats don custom-designed backpacks enabling real-time audio and video streaming, along with two-way communication for rescuers to interact with survivors.
African giant pouched rats are lightweight and agile, making them adept at navigating unstable debris and narrow gaps without causing further damage. They also boast an exceptional sense of smell and hearing, rendering them ideal for swift searches in hard-to-reach areas.
The nonprofit employs positive reinforcement at their training center in Morogoro, Tanzania, using clicker training with food rewards. Rescued rats are taught to work with a handler, traverse a rubble-filled obstacle course, wear a backpack, and signal the presence of a human upon locating one. Rats are quick learners motivated by food, and enjoy their work, as stated by communications manager Lily Shallom.
APOPO has developed several iterations of the backpack, evolving from a camera-laden design to a more balanced and durable version. The latest iteration weighs just 100 grams (3.5 ounces), comprising a microprocessor, camera, speaker, microphone, flashlight, cooling fan, and a battery lasting up to 35 minutes while streaming.
Though not a substitute for human rescuers or technology, RescueRATs serve as a valuable addition to rescue teams, facilitating quicker survivor identification and strategic decision-making. GPS is absent in the backpacks due to its ineffectiveness in rubble. APOPO is exploring alternative solutions such as simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) to overcome this limitation.
Last year, Brigham Young University engineering students aided in creating a device and algorithm for the nonprofit's new tracking system. RescueRATs underwent their initial training in June 2023, relocating to Turkey for operational trials. Plans are underway to establish a permanent presence in Turkey, a country prone to earthquakes like the catastrophic 2023 event that claimed over 40,000 lives. With appropriate technology and rigorous training, these rats could potentially save countless lives during future disasters.
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