Video · 1:07
Why does the bullet train look like a bird?
The bullet train was redesigned to look like a kingfisher's beak to stop it from making a loud, scary boom. A train builder noticed that a kingfisher could dive into water without making a splash thanks to its long, pointy beak. Shaping the train's front like the bird's beak let air slide right past, allowing bullet trains to travel quietly.
Watch on YouTube ↗Key facts
- Bullet trains used to make a giant noise called a sonic boom that shook people's houses.
- A kingfisher bird can dive straight into water without making a splash.
- A builder redesigned the front of the train to match the kingfisher's long, pointy beak.
- Copying ideas from nature to solve problems is called biomimicry.
Questions people also ask
What problem did bullet trains have in the past?
Long ago, fast bullet trains created a loud sonic boom that shook people's houses.
Which bird inspired the new bullet train design?
A builder was inspired by a kingfisher, a bird with a long, pointy beak that dives into water without splashing.
What is biomimicry?
Biomimicry is when people copy designs and tricks from nature to solve human problems.
What the video says
Have you seen a bullet train? They go super fast! But long ago, they made a giant, scary noise called a sonic boom.
This loud boom shook people's houses. The trains were in trouble! One smart builder needed help. He looked outside at nature.
The builder loved watching birds. He saw a little bird called a kingfisher. It dove into the water without making a splash!
The bird's long, pointy beak was the secret. The builder had a great idea. He changed the front of the train!
He made the train look just like the bird's beak. Now the air slid right past it. The scary noise was gone!
Today, bullet trains zoom quietly through tunnels. They run so fast because we copied nature. That is called biomimicry!
