SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Die)

Biological Parallel

Arctic ground squirrels enter hibernation in 2-3 minutes, dropping body temperature from 37°C to -3°C—the fastest physiological state change in mammals. This rapid switchover is pre-staged: brown fat is accumulated during summer, metabolic pathways are primed, and cellular machinery is positioned for instant activation. Chameleons change color in 20 seconds through pre-positioned chromatophores that expand or contract on demand. SMED mirrors biology's preparation principle: speed comes from converting setup to external work done before the critical moment.