College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Mechanical Engineering Department
Advisor
Dr. Hyeonik Song, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Funding Source
This research was funded by Cal Poly’s Academic Affairs Office
Date
10-2025
Abstract/Summary
Design-by-Analogy (DbA) is a powerful design tool that uses analogical reasoning to help engineers develop groundbreaking innovations, such as cyclonic separator inspired bagless vacuum cleaner or gecko inspired adhesives. DbA leverages the natural, human process of analogical reasoning in a systematic manner in three phases namely: retrieval (what prior knowledge/experience is relevant to a design problem?), mapping (what elements of the design problem align with the retrieved knowledge?), and evaluation (how applicable is the retrieved knowledge to solving a design problem?). To date, most DbA techniques support one or two phases of analogical reasoning and therefore overlook important opportunities for more innovative engineering solutions. In this summer project, we aim to develop an intelligent DbA tool called VISION+ that provides a comprehensive guidance to designers during all phases of the analogical reasoning process, helping them generate innovative and successful design concepts. We propose to develop the tool by integrating a cognitive assistant (CA) into an existing DbA tool, VISION developed by the PI. VISION+, will function as a design collaborator, offering suggestions and examples that help designers expand the solution space and explore a wider range of possibilities. The CA will support designers during the analogical reasoning process by analyzing information from diverse sources and feature a natural language interface to facilitate communication between human designers and CA. This project will expand our efforts to enhance modern engineering design through human-AI collaboration.
October 1, 2025.
Included in
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/ceng_surp/170