Leveraging an LLM for Sustainable Product Development: an Eco-Design Framework

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel framework for applying a Large Language Model (LLM) to advance eco-design practices of engineering products. The framework's uniqueness lies in its comprehensive approach, addressing all product life cycle stages - design, production, distribution, use-life, and end-of-life - while effectively integrating cradle-to-cradle principles into life cycle assessment (LCA). By integrating and leveraging extensive datasets and design parameters, this framework encompasses opportunities for minimizing environmental impacts across the product life cycle. The framework's application perspectives are exemplified with a simulation of the first steps of the eco-design of a humanoid robot, complementing the benefits of its open architecture and modular design.