Bionic Flower: A Robot Inspired by Nature

Festo Didactic introduces a fresh addition to its Bionics4Education program, emphasizing the maker movement and the 4Cs framework. The focus is on inspiring learners to explore creative solutions, experiment with available materials, and share their experiences with others, preparing them for a digitally driven future.

Nature as Inspiration

The Bionic Flower is a hands-on construction kit modeled after the plant world. Developed by Festo Didactic in collaboration with SkySpirit, it draws inspiration from mimosa plants and water lilies. The flower’s petals open and close in response to stimuli such as touch, light, or proximity. Students can explore these natural mechanisms in a playful way using the integrated sensors and control technology. This design not only enhances STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) lessons but also opens discussions about biodiversity in the classroom.

Bionics Made Accessible

Designed for students aged 10 and above, a single Bionic Flower can accommodate up to three learners. The petals demonstrate the first bionic concept: folding for mechanical stability. Each petal is actuated by a stepper motor that opens and closes them sequentially. Movements and lighting effects can be controlled via Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones, tablets, or PCs. For advanced learners, the microcontroller can be programmed using the visual coding platform “Open Roberta” or even in C++. The code is open source, enabling educators to teach technical content through an interdisciplinary approach. 

Building Essential Skills

Through the Bionic Flower, students explore STEM topics in a creative, digital, and integrated manner. By combining bionics with technical education, the kit promotes the 4Cs—collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity—while also fostering teamwork and other soft skills.

Integrating the Maker Movement

The new approach emphasizes the DIY ethos of the maker movement, encouraging students to experiment with materials, innovate solutions, and share their discoveries. The Bionic Flower merges Maker Education with STEM learning, allowing students not only to assemble the flower but also to customize and enhance it using 3D printers, additional materials, and both hardware and software expansions.