In a riveting episode of the eVTOL Insights podcast, host Jason Pritchard engages in a deep conversation with Pierre Baque, Founder and CEO of Neural Concept.
The company, established in 2018, is making waves in the aerospace and advanced air mobility markets by leveraging AI and deep learning to accelerate product development. Here are the key insights from their discussion:
Pierre’s fascination with technology and mathematics took him from the Ecole Polytechnique in France to conducting a PhD at EPFL in Switzerland.
His exposure to the burgeoning field of deep learning, especially in computer vision and three-dimensional data processing, served as a catalyst for founding Neural Concept. Bridging his interest in engineering optimization and simulation with deep learning, Pierre saw a unique opportunity to revolutionize product development through a symbiotic approach to 3D data and simulation.
Neural Concept’s Mission and Technology
Neural Concept aims to push the boundaries of what technology can achieve in engineering. Central to their mission is the use of AI to automate and accelerate the design process.
Today, engineering relies heavily on numerical simulations and computer-aided design (CAD), yet this process remains highly manual. Neural Concept’s engineering intelligence platform seeks to automate these processes, allowing for rapid iterations and optimizations that traditional methods cannot match.
Collaborations and Challenges in the Aerospace Industry
A significant portion of the discussion revolved around Neural Concept’s work with aerospace giant Airbus.
The collaboration started early in Neural Concept’s history and focuses on simplifying and accelerating the aircraft design process, particularly for simulations that can be time-consuming.
For instance, applying AI has helped reduce the time it takes to predict the pressure field on the external body of Airbus airplanes, showcasing how their technology can streamline complex aerodynamics simulations.
Addressing Turbulence in Advanced Air Mobility
A notable challenge in aerospace is accurately predicting turbulence-dependent features.
Pierre mentions the hybrid approach Neural Concept employs, combining numerical simulations with physical measurements. This method leverages the strengths of both data-driven and traditional simulation techniques, resulting in faster and more reliable predictive models.
Expanding Into the Advanced Air Mobility Market
Pierre highlights that Neural Concept’s technology is not just limited to large aerospace companies. It holds substantial potential for smaller players in the emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) markets, such as eVTOL manufacturers.
These companies, often more digitally native, are well-poised to leverage Neural Concept’s AI-driven optimizations. Neural Concept’s tools can aid in areas like aeroacoustics for noise reduction and thermal management for electric propulsion systems, crucial for the evolving AAM landscape.
Future Roadmap and Series B Funding
Neural Concept recently secured Series B funding to bolster their technological and product leadership.
This investment will allow them to make strategic decisions in customer collaborations, fostering significant partnerships that can co-evolve with Neural Concept’s vision. Pierre emphasizes the importance of this funding in maintaining the company’s innovation momentum and expanding their footprint, particularly in the US market.
Final Thoughts and Invitation for Collaboration
Pierre extends an invitation for new collaborations, especially in the US, where Neural Concept has recently established a team.
They are eager to work with partners who have robust data science capabilities and are looking to scale their engineering efforts. For those interested in exploring collaboration opportunities, Pierre welcomes contact through email at either his address or the contact portal on Neural Concept’s website.
In summing up, the conversation sheds light on Neural Concept’s groundbreaking work in applying AI to aerospace engineering. With their innovative approaches, they are not just accelerating the design and simulation process but are also setting a new standard in the industry.
As they continue to grow and expand, particularly into advanced air mobility markets, Neural Concept seems poised to be at the forefront of engineering innovation.
