Why Ola, Uber when you can goldfish?

Goldfish are the most maligned of their species and aquatic vertebrates in general, thanks to the rather slanderous old wives' tale about their three-second memory. Which scientists have repeatedly debunked, proving that the breed isn't just extremely intelligent, but it can also recall things up to years. In fact, researchers at Israel's Ben-Gurion University have so much faith in the humble Carassius auratus they even taught one to drive.

Those envisioning a Pixar movie come to life, and a goldfish with a mini steering wheel between its fins going full throttle may be a bit disappointed, seeing as how the terms 'car' and 'drive' have been thrown around rather loosely here.

The vehicle in question is actually more of a fish tank on a set of motorised wheels, and, by 'driving', the researchers merely meant that when offered food as incentive, the fish bumps up against the glass, and its movements are then recorded by a camera and translated into navigational directions. Still, it's no small feat, as the study found that the humble goldfish's 'innate abilities' allow it to 'steer' the set of wheels towards its intended destination. While that may not be enough for one to call shotgun yet, or give Ola-Uber a run for their tailfins, here's hoping the newfound testimony to the goldfish's skills helps put all the libel against it to rest.