OpenAI unveils a more powerful engineering model, scoring 0.875 on the CAD evaluation, significantly outperforming Astra.

Beating AI News Flash: OpenAI has unveiled an unreleased internal model. In the BenchCAD 2.0 engineering design evaluation, the model posted an average score of 0.875, significantly outperforming GPT-6 Astra’s top inference tier score of 0.594, a relative improvement of around 47%. The model’s name and release date remain unannounced. BenchCAD 2.0 primarily tests AI’s capabilities to reconstruct 3D parts from blueprints, assemble mechanical structures, and identify circuit connections. Astra, which previously ranked first in public evaluations, has also made low-level errors: it misidentified 3.3V, 5V, and ground lines on a circuit board as the same network. Such errors could directly trigger hardware failures if applied to actual circuit design. OpenAI also showcased Astra’s robotics experiment: two employees designed a physical device that can interact with Codex via voice in less than a week, with Astra completing the casing, internal structure, circuit board, and software design. However, actual production still requires multiple rounds of manual review and adjustment; the contract manufacturer took nearly a month to produce the first batch of prototypes. OpenAI is also collaborating with racing team Chip Ganassi Racing to convert 3D scans of parts into editable CAD models and manufacturing drawings, and with Mazda to explore aerodynamic car design by adjusting front-end shapes and simulating airflow to reduce drag.