Biomimicry can be used both as a “bottom-up” solution strategy (as we did with t
ID: 364651 • Letter: B
Question
Biomimicry can be used both as a “bottom-up” solution strategy (as we did with the animal foot design) or as a “top-down” solution strategy (first identifying the challenge you wish to solve than searching to determine how nature solves this challenge and adapting that solution to your issue.) As an entrepreneur seeking to develop a new business which strategy do you think could provide the most value? (There really isn’t a correct answer to this. I’m just interested in your thought process. Demonstrate to me that you understand the questions and have thought about the response. Again, you should NOT have an identical or nearly identical response as someone else in the class or that I can find online. Original thoughts only!)
Explanation / Answer
I would prefer to you use a Top Down one since I believe that we need to first identify what we want to do. Once we have identified what product or service we want to use, then its easier to check and evaluate how nature does that or any agent of nature ( may be animals, plants or any other life form).
Lets compare two different startegies:
Assume I have seen a hawk or kite who from a height roles her eyes in to 360 degrees to get a situational awareness of surroundings before jumping on a pray. Now, if I use this inspiration to see where I can use it will be a "bottom up" approach. I can use it to design a 360 degree radar or use the same phenomenon in a security camera. A top down approach contrary to bottom up will be where I am faced with a challenge and I use natural inspiration for the same. Suppose, I am working on a burglar alarm and I want to get inspired by nature. Then, I may look for many different solutions in nature as to how plants and animals save themselves from predators. I can use as to how kite rolls her eyes or how a dog protects its kids or how a plant reacts on seeing a predators etc. Top down is more focused and hence, easier to use.
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