NOVA

Making Stuff Wilder

What happens when scientists open up nature's toolbox? In "Making Stuff Wilder," David Pogue explores bold new innovations inspired by the Earth's greatest inventor, life itself. From robotic "mules" and "cheetahs" for the military, to fabrics born out of fish slime, host David Pogue travels the globe to find the world’s wildest new inventions and technologies.

RoboBees to the Rescue

2m 24s

Could tiny drones be the pollinators of the future? Credits Animated and Narrated by Anna Rothschild Cinematography by Steve McCarthy Original Footage ©WGBH Educational Foundation 2013 Additional Footage Courtesy Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering SLOW MOTION: Flying Hoverfly ©iStockphoto/Schroptschop

Previews + Extras

  • Cyborg Cockroaches: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Cyborg Cockroaches

    S40 E19 - 2m 26s

    With just a few simple tools, anyone can turn a cockroach into a tiny controllable 'bugborg.' Why would you want to? It turns out that these nasty pests could turn into life savers in the future. For media credits, visit: pbs.org/nova/tech/cockroach-cyborgs.html

  • Mushroom Material: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Mushroom Material

    S40 E19 - 3m 45s

    Move over peanuts, there’s a new packaging material in town—and it’s made of mushrooms.

  • The Hummingbird Drone: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Hummingbird Drone

    S40 E19 - 3m 36s

    A new drone doesn't fly like an airplane or helicopter—it flaps its wings like a bird.

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