Zuken, a multinational provider of electronic design automation solutions based in Japan, has developed a revolutionary approach to AI-assisted PCB design. The company’s new technology called Autonomous Intelligent Place and Route or AIPR which is now integrated into its CR-8000 PCB engineering and design platform, harnesses machine learning to enable new levels of design efficiency and accuracy.
The new platform includes a new routing engine called Smart Autorouter that leverages machine learning based on an innovative technology dubbed ‘the Brain’. This technology will be introduced in 3 stages starting with the Basic Brain, which is available now, and future extensions known as Dynamic Brain and, ultimately, Autonomous Brain.
Basic Brain
The first stage, the Basic Brain, revolutionizes PCB design at the foundational stage by learning from Zuken‘s library of design examples and existing design expertise. Seamlessly integrated into the CR-8000 3D PCB design and analysis platform for electronic product development, Basic Brain enhances the user experience by routing the design utilizing the Smart Autorouter based on learned approaches and strategies.
Dynamic Brain
In the second stage, Zuken‘s Dynamic Brain will learn from newly created PCB designs, utilizing past design examples and integrating them into AI algorithms. Combining customers‘ best practices with AI insights will result in accelerated design iterations and notable enhancements in overall productivity, all within the framework of the CR-8000 platform.
Autonomous Brain
The third and final stage will be the Autonomous Brain, an AI-driven powerhouse in continuous learning mode, pushing the boundaries of creativity. The Autonomous Brain‘s capability to self-improve with each project will, the company says, herald a new era of AI-driven innovation.
“Our three-stage AI approach will empower designers with an enhanced toolkit within the CR-8000 platform, accelerating design cycles and unlocking new dimensions of creativity,” said Kazuhiro Kariya, Sr. Managing Executive Officer, and CTO of Zuken.
Autonomous Intelligent Place and Route with Smart Autorouter and Basic Brain will be available in Q1 2024. The Dynamic Brain and Autonomous Brain products will be available in future releases.
