Accelerating Engineering for the Physical World
OpenAI, Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026
OpenAI shares how its models help engineers design, simulate and build physical products, with partners Chip Ganassi Racing and Mazda.
OpenAI describes progress in using its models for mechanical, electrical and system engineering work such as CAD, drawings, simulation setup and design review.
As a test, GPT-6 Astra designed a device's enclosure, circuit board and software to talk to Codex, built by two staff in under a week, though readying it for manufacturing still needed several rounds of review.
Usage across OpenAI's own hardware teams has grown 23-fold since February, and a newer internal model scored 0.875 on BenchCAD 2.0 versus 0.594 for GPT-6 Astra.
OpenAI is expanding work with Chip Ganassi Racing on scan-to-CAD workflows, starting a research collaboration with Mazda on aerodynamics and crash safety, and seeking more industry collaborators.