GPT-6 Astra routes PCB layouts in KiCad from a schematic
A demo shows Astra turning a schematic into a production-ready PCB layout with component placement and routing in KiCad, though stackup, copper thickness and impedance still need human review.
GPT-6 Astra just ate Claude's lunch and started routing PCBs in KiCad OpenAI's new model can take an electronic schematic and turn it into a production-ready PCB layout, placing components and routing traces in KiCad on its own. Why it matters: > AI is no longer just giving text advice on circuit design > It now directly operates professional EDA tools like KiCad > This opens the door to automating component placement, PCB routing, design-rule checks, revision diffs, and topology optimization The catch: > AI-generated layouts can pass CAD rules but still fail real-world fab constraints > Stackup, copper thickness, impedance tolerances, and via types still need human review before sending to production GPT-6 vs Claude: > Astra and Claude Fable 5.1 cost about the same but win in different areas > Astra dominates CAD, science terminals, and cyber tasks > In demos like KiCad and Blender, Astra already shows capabilities Anthropic hasn't matched at the same level Hardware engineering is next.