Use of case-based reasoning techniques for intelligent computer-aided-design systems

Reuse of designs is an important research direction for the future intelligent CAD systems. The main applications of such a research are various, from mechanical systems design (spacecraft, robot, …) to software design. This paper will present a survey of the use of case-based reasoning (CBR) techniques for intelligent CAD systems in order to reuse designs or parts of designs. First, we will briefly resume some work issued from cognitive psychology, showing the importance of analogical-reasoning for design activities and then the origins of the CBR technology in AI. Second, we will then present the main systems using case-based reasoning for design activities followed by a comparative analysis between these systems. To conclude, we will indicate the main directions in CBR for design and will propose to adopt a cognitive approach from knowledge acquisition until the development of real design support systems