LLM + Tools Engineering assistant with traceable outputs

AIDEA: an AI copilot for engineering decisions, not just text.

AIDEA combines an LLM orchestrator with domain knowledge and execution tools (analysis, simulation, optimisation, code, documentation) to help engineers move from intent to verifiable work—faster.

See how it works Explore capabilities Talk to us

Tool-executedRuns computations, not opinions

Evidence-firstAssumptions & sources made explicit

Human-in-loopApprovals & checks built-in

Example: prompt → workflow


You are AIDEA. For a 10-storey steel office building:

1) Propose 3 lateral systems (moment frame, braced frame, dual).
2) For each, define an optimisation problem: objectives, constraints, design variables.
3) Provide a traceable checklist for Eurocode pre-checks.
4) Output a brief report structure and a bill of materials template.
5) Show what should be computed vs. what requires human judgement.

AIDEA keeps the “why” and the “how” visible: assumptions, tool calls, parameters, and references.

Capabilities

AIDEA is built around the work engineers actually do: framing problems, running computations, checking standards, and producing documentation others can audit.

Problem framing

From intent to a solvable model

Turns a design request into objectives, constraints, variables, and acceptance tests—ready for computation.

Optimisation

Design-space exploration

Compares alternatives and manages trade-offs (cost, CO₂, performance) with multi-criteria support.

Documentation

Reports that auditors like

Generates consistent reports, assumptions lists, design logs, and deliverable-ready tables with traceability.

Toolchain

Integrates your existing stack

Connects to scripts and tools (Python/MATLAB), solvers, parametric CAD, and FE workflows via adapters.

Monitoring & DT

Data-driven assistance

Supports signal processing, anomaly triage, and model-updating workflows for SHM and digital twins.

Checks

Standards-aware guardrails

Pre-check templates for code compliance and engineering sanity checks, separating computation and judgement.

How it works

AIDEA acts as an orchestrator: it plans a workflow, retrieves context, calls tools, stores artefacts, and produces outputs that can be reproduced and reviewed.

ScopeInputs/outputs, acceptance criteria, and what must be computed.

RetrieveStandards, templates, past work, and curated references (RAG).

ExecuteRun analysis/simulation/optimisation and track parameters.

ExplainAssumptions, limitations, results, and next steps.

ReviewEngineer approves; AIDEA iterates; the log stays traceable.

Reference architecture

Experience layer Chat/UI, project workspace, templates, deliverables, export (Word/PDF/CSV).

LLM orchestration Task planning, tool routing, “compute vs. judgement” separation.

Knowledge (RAG) Eurocodes/standards, internal guidelines, case library, vetted references with citations.

Tools & data Python/MATLAB scripts, FE solvers, optimisation engines, monitoring pipelines.

Need an AIDEA starter pack for your project? We can tailor templates, tool adapters, and governance rules to your workflow.

Contact

Use cases

Built for multidisciplinary engineering teams—especially where optimisation, simulation, and data-driven methods must translate into decisions and deliverables.

Buildings

Structural design & optimisation

Alternative systems, constraint sets, sizing/topology studies, and comparison reports.

Infrastructure

Performance-based assessment

Protocol-driven checklists, response post-processing, stakeholder-facing summaries.

Additive manufacturing

AM-ready optimisation

Manufacturing-aware constraints and parametric workflows for AM components.

Monitoring

SHM & digital twins

Signal triage, anomaly explanation, and model-updating suggestions.

Risk & resilience

Climate & hazard workflows

Scenario definition, surrogate modelling scaffolds, and assumption-led briefs.

Projects

Deliverables & proposals

Reusable templates, cross-references, structured writing support for technical documentation.

Trust & governance

Engineering assistance is only useful if it is trustworthy: assumptions must be explicit, uncertainty visible, and outputs reproducible.

Human-in-the-loop

Approval gates

Critical steps (loads, constraints, code checks) are designed to require explicit engineer review.

Traceability

Design log

Inputs, prompts, tool calls, and outputs can be captured to support auditability and reproducibility.

Data boundaries

Controlled knowledge

Organisation-specific knowledge can be curated and versioned; outputs can be limited to approved sources.

About

AIDEA is developed within the broader R&D ecosystem of NTUA, aligned with engineering optimisation and applied machine learning activities. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Origin

VELTION @ NTUA

Built to translate advanced optimisation/AI methods into real engineering workflows: models, computations, decisions, and deliverables—without losing traceability.

Roadmap

What’s next

• Curated knowledge packs (Eurocodes, templates, internal guidelines)
• Tool adapters for solvers & scripts
• Reusable “deliverable builders” for projects
• Pilot deployments with governance and traceability

Contact

If you want to pilot AIDEA or integrate it with an engineering toolchain, get in touch.

Project & technical enquiries

nlagaros@central.ntua.gr

Phone

Office

+30 210 772 2625

Web

Portal

www.veltion.ntua.gr

Replace the contact details above with the official AIDEA inbox/phone if you prefer.