Innovative Teaching Project: Design and Optimization of a Tubular Chassis for Automobiles Using Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools

In the Vehicle Theory course, taught in the fourth year of the Mechanical Engineering Degree program, students have been designing a tubular chassis made of balsa wood for testing and evaluation. An innovative project has been proposed with the use of Artificial Intelligence tools to guide the process of searching for information, design, and compliance with technical requirements. Additionally, it aims to address new sustainability challenges in this structure. Teachers have guided this process, including a classroom session prior to the project’s start, where they demonstrated the use of ChatGPT as an assistant in the project’s main development points. Furthermore, it is important to raise students’ awareness of the usefulness of current AI-based tools, such as ChatGPT, for information retrieval. However, it is crucial to have criteria in place to evaluate and question the information obtained. Results show that the majority of students are familiar with generative AI tools and have used it to find solutions to academic or technical problems. However, they note that the responses provided are occasionally unclear and ambiguous, or directly incorrect in some cases. Although generative AI can enhance students’ productivity and provide prompt feedback, it cannot substitute for their experience and skills in obtaining quality information.