On September 23-26, the joint 6th International Conference of Bionic Engineering (ICBE2019) and International Symposium on Nature-Inspired Technology 2019 (ISNIT2019) was successfully held in Changchun, China. The conference is organized by the International Society of Bionic Engineering (ISBE) and Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers (KSME), and hosted by Jilin University, China. Prof. Julian Vincent, president of the ISBE, Prof. Luquan Ren, academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and standing vice-president of the ISBE, Prof. Wan Doo Kim, 61st president of the KSME, Prof. Li Cai, executive vice-chair of Jilin University Council addressed on the opening ceremony. In addition, Prof. Lutz Richter, vice-president of ISTVS, Prof. Glen McHale, vice-chancellor of Northumbria University, UK, Prof. Ming Mao, director of the China North Vehicle Research Institute, and Prof. Hongwei Zhao, vice-president of Jilin University attended the conference. 

The conference is one of the highest-level grand gatherings in the field of bionics around the world which aims to establish a closer relationship between scientists and engineers worldwide. The theme of  the conference is “bionic innovations for healthy development”, which is geared towards exploring new ideas and accomplishments for the practice of bio-inspired design and manufacture, while offering innovative solutions. Over 500 researchers, scholars and enterprise delegates from more than 20 countries and regions attended the conference, respectively from UK, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, India, China and etc..

There are more than 400 abstract submissions received for the conference. The excellent papers were recommended for publication in the Journal of Bionic Engineering, Applied Bionics and Biomechanics, Biomimetics and Biosurface and Biotribology. Totally 7 plenary, 42 keynote, 22 invited, 78 oral, and 16 competition presentations were delivered at the conference. The exhibitions of web of Bionics International, posters, technical journals, bionic machinery, bionic technological products and enterprises were also carried out.

During the opening, the ceremonies for ISBE 2019 International Bionic Engineering Award, ISBE 2019 Fellowship, and ISBE 2019 International Bionic Innovation Competition were held. The web of "Bionics International" and "Da Vinci China Index" were officially released. The Bionics International is jointly developed by Jilin University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology. It is an international technology platform that supports teaching, researching, training, promoting, popularizing, and related academic affairs. Da Vinci China index is developed by Jilin University and Point Loma Nazarene University, USA together. It is an important index to evaluate the development of bionic research. In addition, the candidates of ISBE 2019 board of directors were approved at the conference. 

In the afternoon of September 24, the 4th Board Meeting of ISBE was held. A total of 17 new board members from 10 countries attended the meeting. The new Executive Board Members from 2019 -2022 were elected. Prof. Thomas Stegmaier from ITV Denkendorf, Germany was elected to be president, the Academician Luquan Ren from Jilin University was elected to be standing vice president, Prof. Marc Weissburg from Georgia Institute of Technology and Prof. Chris D. Rudd from James Cook University Singapore were elected to vice presidents. Prof. Jianqiao Li from Jilin University was appointed as general secretary of the society. Prof. Julian Vincent was granted the Lifetime Contribution Award as the Emeritus President of the ISBE. In addition, the Youth Committee meeting, the establishment meeting of the Enterprise Committee and the editorial board meeting of Journal of Bionic Engineering were also held.

From September 25 to 26, 5 parallel sessions as well as H2020-BAMOS Project Briefing, Symposium on Biomanufacturing and Biomimetic Manufacturing in the 14th Five-Year Plan, Biomimetic Locomotion Forum, Bionics Education Forum, Da Vinci China Index Forum, and the Journal “Advanced Materials” Session were held. 

This conference is a grand international event which get the attention and support from universities, scientific research institutes, government departments and enterprises around the world. The great success of the conference not only expresses the current research achievements in bionic engineering but also offers a platform for delegates to communicate and cooperate with each other. This should give a major push towards the development of bionic engineering worldwide.