Applications and Cases of "Bionic Technology" in the Field of Cultural Tourism
Have you ever imagined passing by "resurrected" ancient dinosaurs in a museum? Or witnessing a mechanical giant whale dancing with human actors in an aquarium? Perhaps you've been deeply attracted by a robot tour guide that can recite poems, paint, and engage in lively conversations. All of these are no longer just scenes from science - fiction movies but real experiences brought about by bionic technology empowering cultural and tourism industries. This article will systematically sort out the innovative practices of bionic technology in China's cultural and tourism fields through abundant cases and technical analyses.
Bionic technology is a scientific method that, based on in - depth research on the structure, function, and mechanism of organisms, imitates or draws on the characteristics of natural organisms to design and develop new technologies, products, or systems. It is a combination of digital technology and biological inspiration, and is triggering an engaging transformation in the cultural and tourism fields.
Bionic technology is not simply about replicating natural elements into cultural and tourism scenarios. Instead, it fundamentally revolutionizes the way tourists experience, enlivens the presentation forms of cultural content, reshapes the ecological aesthetics of tourist spaces, and enhances the intelligent level of services by deeply understanding and simulating the wisdom of biological systems.
So, what are the specific applications of bionic technology in cultural and tourism? And what are the amazing cases? This article will take you on an in - depth exploration. We will conduct an in - depth analysis of three major application directions: bionic animals, bionic robots, and bionic architecture and landscape design. Combining the latest domestic and international cases, we will analyze the underlying technical principles and cultural connotations and discuss their impacts on tourist experiences and the cultural and tourism industries.
I. Bionic Animals: Bringing the Ancient and the Ocean to Life
Bionic animals are one of the most eye - catching applications of bionic technology in cultural and tourism. Through mechanical transmission, material simulation, and intelligent control, engineers "resurrect" long - extinct dinosaurs or deep - sea giants and present them to tourists. These lifelike bionic animals not only have extremely realistic appearances but also can perform complex movements and make sounds, making the audience feel as if they are in a real ecological environment.
1. Simulated Dinosaurs: A Shocking Experience of Returning to the Jurassic
When it comes to bionic animals, the most classic case is undoubtedly the simulated dinosaurs. In many natural museums, theme parks, and science - popularization exhibitions, giant bionic dinosaur models are real attention - grabbers. They have a steel skeleton + silicone skin, with built - in hydraulic or motor - driven joints that can achieve movements such as head rotation, mouth opening and closing, and limb swinging. Coupled with sound effects and control programs, they create a shocking scene of dinosaurs "resurrecting".
Take Zigong, Sichuan, known as the "Dinosaur Hometown" in China, as an example. The intelligent bionic dinosaurs developed by Zigong Henggu Longteng Technology have been successfully applied in cultural and tourism projects. These bionic dinosaurs can automatically trigger movements and roars when tourists approach and can also interact with the audience through methods such as infrared sensing and touch sensing. In the Zigong Dinosaur Museum and some theme parks, tourists can see the Tyrannosaurus rex opening its huge mouth and growling, and the Diplodocus swaying its long tail and moving forward slowly, as if they are in Jurassic Park. This immersive experience greatly enhances the fun and attractiveness of science - popularization education. It is reported that Zigong's simulated dinosaur industry has not only become popular in China but also has exported its products all over the world, occupying a considerable share of the international market.
2. Bionic Giants: A Bionic Wonder in the New Scenarios of Cultural, Commercial, and Tourism Consumption
Dalian Botao Culture and Technology Co., Ltd. also demonstrates strong innovation capabilities in the field of bionic animals. Its series of bionic giants have become popular highlights in cultural and tourism projects. On July 29 this year, at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, the 4 - meter - tall AI bionic giant "Bear Beibei" became the star of the show. Its multi - modal interaction system integrates multiple AI capabilities such as voice recognition, emotion analysis, thinking, and memory. It can accurately simulate human micro - expressions through 72 movable axes, achieving millimeter - level control and millisecond - level real - time interaction. Every interaction between the audience and "Beibei" feels like a conversation with a "warm - hearted living being".
It is reported that Botao Culture and Technology has cumulatively applied for 150 independent intellectual property rights, including 37 invention patents, and has built a core technology system covering bionic structures, hybrid drives, and embodied intelligence. Through the principles of biomechanics and lightweight skeleton design, Botao Culture and Technology has solved the industry problem of "incompatibility between strength and precision" for large - scale robots, endowing mechanical giants with a three - layer cognitive architecture of "perception fusion - intelligent understanding - behavior generation", and achieving a leap from "bionic machinery" to "intelligent living beings".
Xiao Di, the founder of Botao Culture and Technology, believes that cultural and tourism technology is undergoing a qualitative change from "tool attribute" to "cultural attribute". Based on this concept, the company has launched the "40 - City Plan for the Street of Divine Beasts", using the model of "AI super - intelligent agent + city IP + commercial operation" to create innovative cultural and tourism landmarks in more than 40 cities around the world. Take Xiongdong Street in Dalian as an example. This project attracts more than 1.65 million visitors annually, with 60% of them being out - of - town tourists, making it a model for urban renewal.
3. Bionic Marine Life: Bringing Deep - Sea Wonders into Theme Parks
In addition to land giants, bionic technology has also brought the magical marine life into people's sight. In recent years, many marine theme parks have introduced large - scale bionic marine life, such as bionic whale sharks and bionic rays, to enrich the tourist experience. These bionic fish usually have a shell made of high - strength lightweight materials, with precise propulsion and control systems installed inside. They can swim independently in the water and perform actions such as floating, diving, and turning.
Haichang Ocean Park, a leading marine park operator in China, is at the forefront in this regard. They have cooperated with professional teams to develop globally leading bionic marine life products. For example, the "world's first intelligent bionic whale shark" displayed in Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park is about 4.7 meters long and weighs 350 kilograms. It has two versions of appearance: one is the bionic mech design, with the shell showing a cool mechanical texture; the other is the simulated skin design, covered with realistic whale shark skin textures, almost indistinguishable from the real thing. This bionic whale shark swims freely in the water and can cooperate with the "mermaid" performance of divers, presenting an illusory underwater wonderland for the audience. The bionic team of Haichang Ocean Park introduced that these bionic fish use technologies such as 3D - printed shells, integrated underwater motors for driving, multi - threaded main control modules for control, and multi - sensor fusion, enabling these huge creatures to swim flexibly. One charge can meet the needs of the whole - day performance.
As of now, Haichang has more than 10 bionic marine life, which are displayed in parks in Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Changsha, etc., for underwater performances and science - popularization shows. The introduction of bionic marine life not only brings a brand - new viewing experience to tourists but also is regarded as an innovative measure for sustainable development. Compared with captive - breeding large marine animals, bionic fish have advantages such as sustainable resources, low operating costs, and flexible combinations. Their research and development make it possible for technology to assist in biodiversity conservation. For example, through bionic whale sharks, the public can be educated about marine knowledge, and people's attention to the protection of endangered species such as whale sharks can be aroused. It can be said that while satisfying tourists' curiosity, bionic marine life also conveys the concept of ecological protection, achieving the unity of entertainment and education.
4. Technical Principles and Cultural Connotations
The lifelike appearance of bionic animals relies on the support of multiple technologies such as mechanics, materials, and control.
In terms of mechanical structure, engineers draw on the structure of animal skeletal joints, use high - strength alloys and composite materials to build the skeleton, and cooperate with hydraulic rods or servo motors to achieve movement.
In terms of materials, the simulated skin usually uses materials such as high - density sponge + silicone. After fine carving and coloring, it presents realistic textures and colors.
The control technology combines sensors and computer programs. For example, infrared sensors can sense the approach of tourists, triggering preset actions and sound effects to achieve interaction with the audience. The multi - sensor fusion system inside bionic fish can monitor the posture and environment in real - time, ensuring smooth swimming in the water.
In addition to the technology itself, bionic animals also carry rich cultural connotations. On the one hand, they bring ancient culture and marine culture to life, narrowing the distance between the public and these cultures. For example, simulated dinosaurs allow tourists to intuitively feel the charm of the dinosaur era and stimulate their interest in paleontological culture; bionic marine life shows the mysterious deep - sea culture and arouses people's concern for the marine ecosystem. On the other hand, the design of bionic animals often incorporates local cultural elements. Take the Zigong bionic dinosaurs as an example. They are based on China's profound dinosaur fossil culture and use technological means to promote this regional culture across the country and even the world. Another example is that some bionic fish performances are combined with local legends or myths, endowing the scientific and technological display with a story and cultural meaning. This combination of technology and culture makes bionic animals not just cold machines but carriers for spreading culture and inspiring thinking.
Generally speaking, the application of bionic animals adds fun and shock to cultural and tourism scenarios. Tourists can observe up close the huge creatures that are usually difficult to see. While marveling at the wonder of technology, they also gain a brand - new cultural experience. With the advancement of technology, future bionic animals will be more realistic and intelligent. Maybe we will encounter these "living" ancient and marine elves in more scenic spots.
II. Bionic Robots: The New Favorites of Intelligent Services and Creative Performances
If bionic animals make static exhibitions come alive, then bionic robots are playing an increasingly important role in cultural and tourism services and performances. Bionic robots refer to robot systems that imitate the structure or behavior of organisms, including humanoid robots with realistic appearances and quadruped robots that simulate animal movements. In the tourism scenario, they can provide intelligent services (such as guided tours and security patrols) and bring highly creative performances (such as dancing, playing musical instruments, and human - robot co - performances), becoming an important part of building an intelligent cultural and tourism ecosystem.
1. Service - Type Bionic Robots: Attentive Intelligent Tour Guides and Assistants
In many scenic spots and cultural venues, robots have changed from novelty items to "standard - equipped" employees. These service - type robots usually have functions such as autonomous walking, voice interaction, and face recognition and can undertake tasks such as guided tours, information consultation, and order maintenance. For example, in the Wuzhen Scenic Area in Zhejiang, robot tour guides can provide personalized route planning and explanation services according to the real - time location and itinerary of tourists, helping them visit more efficiently. They not only tell the stories of scenic spots but also can recognize the expressions and actions of tourists through cameras, having simple conversations and interactions with them and providing attentive services. Another example is that in some museums and science and technology museums, bionic robot explainers introduce exhibits to the audience with realistic appearances and voices. This not only relieves the pressure on manual explanations but also attracts the attention of young tourists with a sense of technology.
It is worth noting that bionic quadruped robots have also started to "take up positions" in the field of cultural and tourism security. In the Wugong Mountain Scenic Area in Jiangxi, a robotic dog has officially joined the scenic area's police team, assisting in patrol and safety monitoring work. This robotic dog has a cute appearance but can walk flexibly in complex terrains, performing tasks such as shouting reminders and abnormal monitoring. Its appearance not only improves the management efficiency of the scenic area but also wins the love of tourists with its lovely appearance, becoming a "star employee" in the scenic area. Similarly, in some large - scale cultural and tourism parks, robotic dogs are also used for night patrols and material transportation, demonstrating the great potential of bionic robots in intelligent management.
The application of service - type bionic robots allows tourists to have a more intelligent and personalized experience during their trips. They never get tired, respond quickly, can provide help to tourists 24/7, and can continuously learn and improve services based on big data. For example, through face recognition and voice recognition, robots can judge the age and language preferences of tourists, adjusting the explanation content and tone to achieve personalized services for each individual. All these greatly improve the quality and efficiency of tourism services and also establish a high - tech image for the scenic area.