Robot Technology News
ROBO SPACE
AI system accelerates aircraft concept design using language models
illustration only
AI system accelerates aircraft concept design using language models
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Jul 18, 2025

A research team at Beihang University has unveiled a new artificial intelligence-based method that can quickly generate conceptual aircraft designs-potentially transforming how early-stage design is done in aerospace engineering. By using large language models (LLMs) like GPT and Gemini, the team created a prototype system that delivers viable design solutions with little to no prior training examples.

Traditionally, aircraft conceptual design has required expert engineers to manually iterate ideas based on experience, complex calculations, and established theory. This new approach, developed under the leadership of Professor Mingqiang Luo, aims to offload routine and repetitive design tasks to generative AI tools-freeing human designers to focus on innovation and decision-making.

The research explored how general-purpose LLMs could be adapted for engineering use. The team developed three types of design prompts, tested them in zero-shot and few-shot modes, and applied models from the GPT, Gemini, Llama, and Qwen families. Their system successfully generated aircraft concepts that were later evaluated by experts for feasibility, creativity, and usefulness.

"Across different use cases-civil or military, rapid or creative design-the language models showed strong adaptability," said Luo. "Some AI-generated concepts scored on par with human designers in expert assessments."

Model size turned out to be a major factor. Versions of the Qwen model with fewer parameters (under 7 billion) performed poorly in generating valid designs. But with larger versions-57 billion parameters and above-the AI-generated outputs closely matched those of professional engineers. Interestingly, adding even a single example to the prompt improved the performance of smaller models significantly, despite no clear correlation between the input and output designs.

Crucially, Luo clarified that the goal is not to replace engineers but to assist them. "Generative AI can handle low-value, high-repetition tasks like parameter estimation and intent parsing," he said. "This allows human experts to concentrate on innovation and core technical challenges."

Future plans include expanding the system to later stages of aircraft development, including requirements analysis and detailed design. The team envisions integrating LLMs with standard engineering platforms like SysML, CATIA, and Matlab to support full life-cycle design through AI-human collaboration.

"Our vision is an intelligent design co-pilot-an AI partner that supports engineers from start to finish," Luo concluded.

The team also includes Yao Tong, Shangqing Ren, and Zheng Zhang from Beihang University, along with Chenguang Xing and Ziliang Du from the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment.

Research Report:A rapidly structured aircraft concept design method based on generative artificial intelligence

Related Links
Beihang University
All about the robots on Earth and beyond!

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ROBO SPACE
AI robots fill in for weed killers and farm hands
Los Banos, United States (AFP) July 6, 2025
Oblivious to the punishing midday heat, a wheeled robot powered by the sun and infused with artificial intelligence carefully combs a cotton field in California, plucking out weeds. As farms across the United States face a shortage of laborers and weeds grow resistant to herbicides, startup Aigen says its robotic solution - named Element - can save farmers money, help the environment and keep harmful chemicals out of food. "I really believe this is the biggest thing we can do to improve human ... read more

ROBO SPACE
Russia faces intense barrage of drones, shutting down Moscow airports

Iraq says drones that struck military radars are foreign-made

African armies turn to drones with devastating civilian impact

Russia fires hundreds of drones at Ukraine, defying Trump warning

ROBO SPACE
UK opens competitive bid for GBP 75 million orbital cleanup mission

York to Acquire Operations to Boost Ground Connectivity and Mission Delivery

Bearings Used in Space Technologies: Engineering for the Final Frontier

Microsoft halts China-based tech support for Pentagon systems

ROBO SPACE
Space Forge and Intuitive Machines team up to boost US orbital chip production

Unprecedented insight into electron behavior within quantum tunneling barrier

SK hynix posts record profits on surging AI demand

Dutch tech giant ASML sees profits rise but warns on 2026

ROBO SPACE
UK gives green light 38 bn pounds to build Sizewell C nuclear plant

Japan moves toward first new reactor since Fukushima disaster

Framatome to supply nuclear fuel for Barakah plant boosting UAE energy security

Framatome opens advanced additive manufacturing hub in France

ROBO SPACE
UN experts slam Peruvian amnesty for historic rights violations

Iraqis face difficult return from Syria camp for IS families

Accusations of chemical weapons in Sudan: what we know

US says airstrike killed Islamic State official in Syria

ROBO SPACE
China hails 'positive' ICJ ruling on climate reparations

States legally obligated to tackle climate change: ICJ

ICJ climate ruling: five things to watch for

Major economies welcome 'milestone' ICJ climate ruling

ROBO SPACE
Battery sharing model boosts savings for local energy communities

US to impose steep anti-dumping duty on battery material from China

China tightens export curbs on some battery technologies

In Indonesia, a start-up captures coolants to stop global warming

ROBO SPACE
Six Chinese universities to launch new low altitude space major this fall

International deep space alliance launched in Hefei China

China launches international association to boost global access to deep space research

Chinese Long March Rockets Make International Debut at Paris Air Show

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.