Somebody needs to invent a radio-controlled mouse.

[Ohio Dem]

You know . . . for the cats.

I have a big ol' battery powered mouse that moves randomly, but it's more rat-sized than mouse-sized. And it's always getting caught in corners.

So, does one of these exist?

[Salviati]

1. These things work pretty well with cats:

they're mini rc cars. The car has a capacitor that you charge up from batteries in the remote control. The charge lasts for a good couple of minutes, and the range is pretty good, maybe about 15-20 feet...

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/speedracerparts/mins2yelrcra.html

[tridim]

2. I have one of those

and mounted a catnip mouse to the chassis. The cat likes it, but my dog LOVES it!

[Ohio Dem]

4. Cool.

Excellent. Thank you!

[Wonk]

3. Somebody already did (seriously!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1961798.stm

(snip)

Electrodes were implanted into areas of the rats' brains responsible for sensing reward, as well as those that process signals from the whiskers.

The commands and rewards were transmitted by radio from a laptop computer to a backpack receiver strapped to each rodent.

The scientists were able to make the rats run, turn, jump and climb where they wanted. The researchers were able to send these commands from distances of up to 500 metres (1640 feet).

[Ohio Dem]

5. Hmmm. Sounds too expensive for me.

I mean, they're good cats, but . . .

[Ohio Dem]

6. Hey! I found one.

http://store.yahoo.com/worldpets/recomo.html