Page 77 - Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

Harun Yahya

The Superior Design in the Bat Is Showing Us to Make Our
Roads Safer

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh developed a robot that
used its smart ears to find its way by means of echolocation, just like a bat.
Jose Carmena, of the university’s department of informatics, and his col-
leagues named this invention “RoBat.” The RoBat was equipped with a
central sound source, serving the same function as a bat’s mouth, and two
fixed receivers at a distance apart comparable to a bat's ears.
In order to make the best use of echoes, other features of the bat were
also borne in mind when designing the RoBat. Bats move their ears to de-
tect interference patterns in the echoes and thus, can easily avoid obsta-
cles in front of them, navigate and hunt down preys. Like bats, the RoBat
was also equipped with smart acoustic sensors to make its mechanism as
flawless as possible.
Thanks to such nature-inspired sound sensors, it is hoped that one
day our roads will be much safer.
In fact, such car manufacturers as Mercedes and BMW already use
ultrasonic sensors to help drivers reverse. Thanks to them, the driver is
alerted to how close he is to a car or other obstruction behind him. 59

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