The best working designs are always inspired from nature, since the rules of adaptation and survival are inherent in its creatures. We have, in the past, seen manufacturers and designers taking cues from animals to create trend-setting technologies. Nissan jumps on the bandwagon now, with the Biomimetric Car Robot Drive or BR23C. The robot car takes after the most efficient collision-evaders – bees. The technology is being developed to prevent car collisions and thereby eliminate accident casualties.
What’s Innovative: The BR23C adopts a bee’s field of vision. Typically, these insects rely on their 300-degree field of vision to identify obstacles and avoid them. In the case of the robot, a Laser Range Finder (LRF) uses a 180-degree radius vision to detect obstacles two meters away. Subsequently, the image is transmitted to a microprocessor, which directs the robot to change its direction or speed to avoid a collision.
Watch This: The most fascinating aspect of the BR23C is its ability to “instinctively avoid” collisions, which again is a rip-off from nature’s bee design. Adopting this technology will undoubtedly prevent accidents and save lives. And we believe Nissan is on course with its Safety Shield concept to cut down vehicle accidents by 50% before 2015.
