Blend in or stand out: nature-inspired security with black and white options

If a wasp were green, would we take it as seriously? Probably not. Its sting isn’t advertised through sound but through the bright yellow stripes that warn “stay away.” Nature often relies on visibility as a deterrent.

But nature also knows the opposite strategy: blending. A chameleon shifts its colour to merge with its surroundings, while a snow leopard’s spotted coat lets it harmonize with rocks and snow. Sometimes survival comes from standing out, other times from fitting seamlessly into the environment, just like a black panther that can blend or be seen depending on the setting. Security works the same way.

This is where design matters. A sensor’s colour can either help it blend or stand out, depending on its setting. A white sensor may disappear against a pale wall but catch the eye against darker surroundings. A black sensor might project a clear signal on a light façade, or it can merge subtly into shaded areas and dark surfaces. Neither choice is universally “better”, each offers strategic value depending on the environment.