# Inspired by AI? A Novel Generative AI System To Assist Conceptual Automotive Design

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.11991 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.11991/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 13 of its 46 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 6 Jun 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 13 of 13)

- [Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2006.11239/) (2020)
- [High-Resolution Image Synthesis with Latent Diffusion Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2112.10752/) (2021)
- [Diffusion Models Beat GANs on Image Synthesis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2105.05233/) (2021)
- [Generative Adversarial Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.00667/) (2022)
- [Adding Conditional Control to Text-to-Image Diffusion Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.05543/) (2023)
- [Versatile Diffusion: Text, Images and Variations All in One Diffusion Model](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2211.08332/) (2022)
- [Kandinsky: an Improved Text-to-Image Synthesis with Image Prior and Latent Diffusion](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.03502/) (2023)
- [Deep Generative Models in Engineering Design: A Review](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2110.10863/) (2021)
- [Generative Transformers for Design Concept Generation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2211.03468/) (2022)
- [Data-Driven Design-by-Analogy: State of the Art and Future Directions](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2106.01592/) (2021)
- [Biologically Inspired Design Concept Generation Using Generative Pre-Trained Transformers](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.13196/) (2022)
- [Conceptual Design Generation Using Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.01779/) (2023)
- [Using evolutionary design to interactively sketch car silhouettes and stimulate designer's creativity](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1303.5050/) (2013)

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [SYNTHIA: Novel Concept Design with Affordance Composition](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.17793/) (2025)
- [DeepWheel: Generating a 3D Synthetic Wheel Dataset for Design and Performance Evaluation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.11347/) (2025)
- [Learning From Design Procedure To Generate CAD Programs for Data Augmentation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2603.06894/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Design inspiration is crucial for establishing the direction of a design as well as evoking feelings and conveying meanings during the conceptual design process. Many practice designers use text-based searches on platforms like Pinterest to gather image ideas, followed by sketching on paper or using digital tools to develop concepts. Emerging generative AI techniques, such as diffusion models, offer a promising avenue to streamline these processes by swiftly generating design concepts based on text and image inspiration inputs, subsequently using the AI generated design concepts as fresh sources of inspiration for further concept development. However, applying these generative AI techniques directly within a design context has challenges. Firstly, generative AI tools may exhibit a bias towards particular styles, resulting in a lack of diversity of design outputs. Secondly, these tools may struggle to grasp the nuanced meanings of texts or images in a design context. Lastly, the lack of integration with established design processes within design teams can result in fragmented use scenarios. Focusing on these challenges, we conducted workshops, surveys, and data augmentation involving teams of experienced automotive designers to investigate their current practices in generating concepts inspired by texts and images, as well as their preferred interaction modes for generative AI systems to support the concept generation workflow. Finally, we developed a novel generative AI system based on diffusion models to assist conceptual automotive design.