VDI 6220:2011-06

Bionics indicates the application of research and development approaches of interest to technical applications. Knowledge gained from the analysis of living systems is used to find solutions to problems, create new inventions and innovations, and transfer this knowledge to technical systems. The idea of transferring biological principles to technology is the central element of bionics.In Guideline VDI 6220 the field of bionics is classified and defined, numerous terms are described, and a description of the process of applying bionic methods from the development of new ideas to the bionic product is provided. The limits and potential of bionics as an innovation system or as a sustainability strategy are also illustrated. In addition, the guideline provides an overview of the different areas of application and describes how bionic methods differ from classic forms of research and development. If a technical system is subjected to a development process according to this guideline, then it is allowed to be referred to as a ""bionic"" system.The guideline provides guidance and support for developers, designers, and users who want to learn about the bionic development process and integrate bionic methods into their work. It can be applied wherever nature has produced a model sufficiently similar to the technical target system that can be used to develop a technical equivalent. Furthermore, it provides a framework for the terminology to be used when formulating papers on bionics for educational and research purposes.