Boxfish Bionic Car

filed under automotive  ·  biomimetics
May
21
2007
The Mercedes-Benz bionic car: Streamlined and light, like a fish in water - economical and environmentally friendly thanks to the latest diesel technology.

The Mercedes-Benz bionic car, a concept vehicle based on examples in nature, in which DaimlerChrysler has also transferred the diesel engine technology of the future to a fully functioning and practical car for everyday use.

For the first time in the case of the Mercedes-Benz bionic car, the engineers at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Center (MTC) and DaimlerChrysler Research looked for a specific example in nature whose shape and structure approximated to their ideas for an aerodynamic, safe, spacious and environmentally compatible car. In other words, this was not a matter of detailed solutions but of a complete transfer from nature to technology – a first.



Source:wwwsg.daimlerchrysler...
Mercedes-Benz bionic car is streamlined and light, like a fish in water
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5 votes		 1263 views
fully 3D
improve aerodynamics


 Comments:

1
Posted by kiran76 22/5/2007 Designing a car in the shape of a fish is NOT innovation.Aeordynamic shapes of fish moving in water is entireley different from the aerodynamics of a vehicle moving on the road. If indeed the materials of construction of the car are significantly lighter and there is a drastic improvement in fuel efficiency, I really dont see the innovation here. Last modified 22/5/2007

2
Posted by thomas 23/5/2007 I do believe this is innovative. And the shape copied from the boxfish will make a difference in fuel economy. There's even an experiment where they copy the shape of a fish to create a better controlable airplane. more info here:
http://www.smartfish.ch/index.cfm/fuseaction/show/path/1-2.htm Last modified 23/5/2007

3
Posted by vincent 23/5/2007 You're both correct. It's still inspiring to me though... Last modified 23/5/2007

4
Posted by sanandan 3/6/2007 I guess a fish has to do a lot more than a car on wheels on the road..And that may justfify that only a few elements are taken from the fish for the new design.
Let us see how it works in the market place. Last modified 3/6/2007

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