ELECTRIX OS from WSCAD is a new generation of engineering software that is said to fundamentally change the division of responsibilities between engineers and software.
Described as ‘Engineering Intelligence’, AI takes on parts of the actual engineering work. Engineers define objectives, evaluate technical solutions and give final approval.
While conventional CAD systems primarily serve design and documentation purposes, and AI copilots support individual tasks, ELECTRIX OS intervenes earlier, at the stage where technical solutions are developed. The platform interprets requirements, takes technical constraints into account and draws on existing engineering knowledge. Engineers oversee the planning process, while the E-CAD system subsequently handles detailed design and documentation.
“CAD digitalised drawing. Engineering Intelligence is beginning to digitalise engineering itself. For decades, we have developed software that enables engineers to document their technical decisions. With ELECTRIX OS, this relationship is fundamentally changing: Humans define the objective, AI develops technical solutions, and the CAD system handles implementation and documentation. Engineers are increasingly evolving from those who carry out tasks into decision-makers and orchestrators,” says Dr Axel Zein, CEO of WSCAD GmbH.
WSCAD’s study, “The State of Electrical Engineering 2026”, highlights the need to ease engineers’ workloads. Among the 1,267 E-CAD users surveyed across 40 countries, around 54 per cent said they had no time for innovation or improvements to their workflows.
From technical requirements to a complete design
ELECTRIX OS is built on an AI-native architecture in which an intelligent engineering layer interprets technical requirements, develops solutions and controls their implementation through downstream CAD systems. Engineers assign ELECTRIX OS a planning task and define the objectives and technical specifications. These may be based on specifications documents, customer requirements, company standards or task descriptions. The system breaks them down into verifiable requirements and documents their origins. If information is missing or specifications conflict, it asks clarifying questions and can suggest answers based on company standards or previous projects. Affected planning steps remain unresolved until these issues have been clarified. One potential application is the electrical engineering design of a packaging machine. The engineer specifies a production capacity of 250 bottles per minute, the use of Allen-Bradley components, relevant UL requirements, redundant safety circuits and a maximum control cabinet width of 50 inches. ELECTRIX OS uses these parameters to develop a design – from the functional structure and power distribution to control and safety concepts and component selection. The engineer evaluates alternatives, requests modifications and approves the solution.
The platform then uses the E-CAD system to generate the required circuit diagrams, bills of materials and manufacturing documentation. Initially, integration will be provided through WSCAD’s own E-CAD software, ELECTRIX AI.
“We have not simply put a language model in front of a CAD system. We have built a model of electrical engineering in which the AI can operate but does not define what is correct. Every proposal must pass the same validation rules that apply to human input. And where the AI is uncertain, it asks rather than decides. That is the difference between an assistant and a foundation,” explains Daniel Papp, Product Owner ELECTRIX OS at WSCAD.
Preserving engineering expertise
A key element of ELECTRIX OS is its ability to connect technical requirements with a company’s existing engineering knowledge. The platform links requirements, assumptions, functions and technical objects within a shared project model. This makes it possible to trace why a particular technical solution was chosen and understand the impact of subsequent changes.
A separate knowledge base contains standards, company guidelines and proven solution patterns. The AI can apply this knowledge but cannot modify it independently. Solutions developed for one project can also be used in future projects, ensuring that accumulated expertise remains available beyond individual projects and when employees leave or change roles. Less experienced engineers can draw on their organisation’s documented knowledge and proven solutions.
The underlying engineering knowledge can be stored on a company’s own computers or servers; processing data in a public or external cloud is not required.
Development partners
Ahead of the planned market launch in 2027, companies can help shape ELECTRIX OS by becoming development partners. They will work alongside WSCAD’s development team on their own projects and contribute their requirements to the platform’s ongoing development. Further information is available at www.wscad.com/en/electrixos/.
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