# What Do We Learn from Good Practices of Biologically Inspired Design in Innovation?
## 1 Introduction
### Biologically Inspired Design in Innovation  
In this article, we make a first connection between BID and various aspects of the general innovation process. On the one hand, we aim to indicate similarities so that we can learn from other disciplines and approaches for the future development of BID as a repeatable methodology. On the other hand, we highlight specificities and challenges whenever possible. This direction of the article raises further research questions which will be discussed at the end of this article. By definition, an innovation needs to reach the market; it is not merely a new technology or invention [25]. The same holds true for BID once it is considered to be an innovation strategy [5; 26] or part of the innovation process, in general, starting with idea generation and ending with commercialization. Figure 1 shows the three main phases of the innovation process [27], matched with the eight steps of the unified problem-driven process of biomimetics, as described by [PERSON] et al. [11]. This highlights that BID can be understood and performed like a general innovation or problem-solving process [28]. However, in each phase specific tasks must be performed, tools can be used [11; 17; 28; 29], and unique challenges must be overcome [24; 30; 31; 32]. If we have a look at the three main phases of the innovation process (Figure 1), most research in the context of BID has focused on the first two phases. In particular, the focus has been on the contribution of BID to idea generation and to the development of biologically inspired solutions. In this context, several studies analyzed cases of BID, for instance the motivation for development [33], how to classify [8] or assess the solutions, for example, in terms of sustainability [14; 15], or the general success of development [2; 22]. Based on the BioM Innovation Database [22], 70% of the BioM products did not make it to the marketing phase, as they were still in development, a concept, or already discontinued. As phase 3 of the innovation process was little researched in the context of BID, we analyzed steps in the transition from a BID concept to a product on the market, based on case studies and the BioM Innovation Database [22]. The phase \"Idea & validation\", as shown in Figure 1, could be performed prior to idea generation in order to validate the use of BID in innovation processes. In doing so, first steps of the market analysis are performed early in the development and help to facilitate phase 3, as important questions for the commercialization are addressed early in BID projects. In addition, BID could benefit from using general innovation processes, such as a structured management process and the use of minimum viable products (MVP). It is still necessary to analyze whether processes would be of benefit to BID and the ones to choose. Figure 1: Phases of the innovation process linked to the eight steps of the biologically inspired design (BID) process as described with the unified problem-driven approach of biomimetics by [PERSON] et al. [11]. 1, 2, and 3 indicate the main phases of a simplified innovation process. The eight steps of BID include specific tasks which must be performed and are linked to commonly known challenges [24; 30; 31; 32] which must be overcome. BID: Biologically inspired design; MVP: Minimum viable product; PoC: Proof of Concept. Various types of innovation can be distinguished, from routine innovation, incremental improvements, to disruptive or fundamental innovation [25; 27]. Interestingly, BID can contribute to each type of innovation as it can inspire:  
* to improve existing products, for example, noise reduction and vibration of aviation wings inspired by owls [34; 35],
* to develop new products, as seen for example with the development of artificial attachment devices based on the dry adhesion of the gecko [36],
* or to transpose a scientific discovery to an application, as seen with the self-cleaning properties of the lotus plant, which also led to a true paradigm shift [21].