DaimlerChrysler is using a new concept vehicle to examine the potential of bionics for automobile development. The Mercedes-Benz bionic car study had its world premiere at DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium in Washington. The car's engineers looked for a specific example in nature which would approximate the idea of an aerodynamic, safe, comfortable and environmentally compatible car. The example they came up with was the boxfish. Despite its boxy, cube-shaped body, this tropical fish is outstandingly streamlined. With an accurately constructed model of the boxfish the engineers in Stuttgart said they were able to achieve a wind drag coefficient of just 0.06 in the wind tunnel. DaimlerChrylser also said the car gets 20% lower fuel consumption and 80% lower nitrogen oxide
emissions. Using the boxfish design, DaimlerChrysler also says it was
able to build a 1/3 lighter car without a reduction in strength or
crash safety.
