Inventing With AI

As an example of what AI can currently do for inventors, I’m posting examples of an invention created by ChatGPT and illustrated by Discord's Midjourney bot.

Bottom line: It’s interesting, but not there yet.

For the prompt, I used a simple description of our first product, the SqueezeDriver, a rotary hand powered screwdriver. SqueezeDriver is in the public domain and I’m not worried about AI related issues of inventorship and public disclosure. For now, I would not prompt current AI tools with confidential information.

The image above was generated by Discord's Midjourney bot using ChatGPT’s answer to the prompt below.

I prompted: “invent a squeeze powered screwdriver”

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Chat GPT:

Certainly! Let's imagine a squeeze-powered screwdriver designed for simplicity and ease of use. Here's a conceptual design:
Name: SqueezeDrive Pro

Key Features:

• Squeeze Mechanism:
  • The screwdriver features a built-in spring-loaded squeeze mechanism. The user grips the handle and squeezes it to store energy in the internal spring.
• Energy Storage:
  • The squeezing action compresses a spring within the handle, storing potential energy.
• Release and Drive:
  • To use the screwdriver, the user places the screwdriver bit into the screw head and positions it on the surface.
  • By pressing a button on the handle, the user releases the stored energy, converting it into rotational force that drives the screw into the material.
• Adjustable Torque:
  • The amount of energy stored can be adjusted using a torque adjustment feature, allowing users to control the force applied to the screw.
• Quick-Release Bit Holder:
  • The screwdriver includes a quick-release bit holder for easy and swift bit changes.
• LED Light:
  • A built-in LED light near the screwdriver bit illuminates the work area, providing better visibility in low-light conditions.
• Compact and Lightweight:
  • The design focuses on being compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry and use in tight spaces.
• Eco-Friendly:
  • To enhance sustainability, the internal components are made from recyclable materials, and the design minimizes the need for disposable batteries or external power sources.

Benefits:

• User-Friendly: The squeeze action is intuitive and requires minimal effort, making it suitable for a wide range of users.
• Portable: Being compact and lightweight, the SqueezeDrive Pro is easy to carry around, making it a convenient tool for various tasks.
• Versatile: The adjustable torque feature accommodates different screw sizes and materials.
• Environmentally Conscious: The design minimizes reliance on disposable batteries and promotes sustainability through the use of recyclable materials.

This conceptual squeeze-powered screwdriver offers a user-friendly and environmentally conscious solution for everyday screwdriving tasks.

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Invention City uses AI to create storyboards for videos (text), for first drafts of questions for surveys and for prior art research. We've also used AI to help create an algorithm for hydration needs. It is a helpful time saver. But we have not used it to invent or design anything.

In the example above, the idea of storing power in a spring with squeezes is interesting - but far less efficient than driving the mechanism directly. You would think AI would know that storing and releasing controlled rotational energy with a spring is less efficient, harder and more expensive than driving directly. The big idea behind the original SqueezeDriver was recognizing that torque is highest when a screw starts to turn. That's why there are two levers. AI missed this idea entirely, even though the info is online.

Where AI really falls apart is in making images of invention ideas. Getting AI to generate a specific image that you have in mind can be incredibly difficult.

- Mike