Scientists and engineers are getting some wild ideas from the wild kingdom
Drone flies like a seagull
Rick Lind, an engineer at the University of Florida, turned to scrappy seagulls for lessons on how to build remote-controlled spy planes equipped to find their way around tall buildings and swoop along the boulevards that make up many modern-day battlefields. The prototype that Lind holds in this image is based on the ability of the seabirds to flex their wings at the shoulders and elbows. Straight elbows provide maximum stability; the elbows-down position increases maneuverability for the dips, dives and rolls.
Check out nine more innovations inspired by nature:
Gecko glue: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-gecko-glue
Sea cucumber plastic: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-sea-cucumber-plastic
Speedy swimsuit: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-speedy-swimsuits
Jet sprayers: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-jet-sprayers
Repellant materials: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-repellant-materials
Bullet trains: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-bullet-train
Fishy armor: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-fishy-armor
Whiter whites: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-white-album
Boxfish-styled cars: www.happynews.com/inspired-innovations-boxfish-cars

© 2008 msnbc.com
Reproduced with permission of MSNBC, from Ten innovations inspired by nature by John Roach, October 21, 2008; permission conveyed through Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.

You can read this story in its original location at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27285982