Bioinspiration | ChatGPT and Creative Idea Generation

How good is ChatGPT at generating creative ideas? In this post, we will look at whether ChatGPT can develop novel ideas where an existing product has to be improved by using inspiration from living organisms.  

We gave the following prompt to ChatGPT: Create a product idea for <a product> inspired by <an organism>.

Here is a sample the results. 

Product	Organism	Idea Generated by ChatGPT3
Helicopter	Elephant	One potential product idea for a helicopter inspired by an elephant is a heavy-duty aerial vehicle that is designed to handle the toughest and most challenging environments. This helicopter would feature a sturdy and durable frame, powerful engines, and a large, extendable trunk-like arm that can be used to pick up and transport heavy objects. The helicopter would be able to take off and land vertically, like a traditional helicopter, but would also be able to move objects with its trunk-like arm, giving it added versatility and functionality. This design would make it ideal for tasks such as construction, disaster relief, and search and rescue operations, where its strength and endurance would be an invaluable asset.
Helicopter	Bear	One possible product idea for a helicopter inspired by a bear could be a toy helicopter designed to look like a bear. The helicopter could feature a brown, fuzzy exterior with black markings on the body to resemble a bear's fur. It could also have a pair of plastic ears on the top of the body and a snarling face on the front, giving it a playful yet fierce appearance. The helicopter could be designed for indoor use, with a lightweight body and a small size that makes it easy to control. It could also have multiple rotors and a remote control that allows users to fly it around a room, performing stunts and tricks. Overall, this toy helicopter would offer a unique and fun way to engage with the concept of a bear-inspired helicopter.
Helicopter	Ant	One idea for a helicopter inspired by an ant could be a multi-rotor design that allows for a high degree of maneuverability and stability. The helicopter could have a sleek, aerodynamic body with a pointed nose and flexible, jointed legs that allow it to land and take off vertically. It could also be equipped with advanced sensors and algorithms that allow it to navigate complex environments and obstacles with ease, much like an ant is able to navigate its surroundings. The helicopter could also be designed to be highly efficient, using minimal energy to operate, again drawing inspiration from the efficient design of an ant. Overall, this helicopter would be a versatile and agile aerial vehicle that could be used for a wide range of applications, from search and rescue missions to surveying and mapping.

Clearly, the results are remarkable. However, the ideas are fairly perfunctory. These ideas wouldn't be classified as radical ideas. It remains to be seen if future models can do better.

This post was first published on December 12, 2022.