SOLIDWORKS AI Companions Explained: AURA, LEO and Marie

Thanks to the SOLIDWORKS AI Companions, artificial intelligence in SOLIDWORKS is no longer just about automation – It’s about collaboration.

With the introduction of AI companions like AURA, LEO and Marie, SOLIDWORKS is moving towards a new way of working where engineers are supported by intelligent assistants throughout the entire design process.

What Are SOLIDWORKS AI Companions?

SOLIDWORKS AI companions are intelligent assistants built directly into the design environment to help engineers work faster and make better decisions.

They are designed to:

• Guide design workflows
• Automate repetitive tasks
• Provide real-time insights
• Support simulation and validation

Unlike traditional tools, these companions understand your design intent and context, helping you move from idea to solution more efficiently.

Quick Answer:

SOLIDWORKS AI companions are built-in AI assistants that help engineers design, simulate and optimise products faster by understanding context and automating tasks.

Meet the SOLIDWORKS AI Companions

🤖 AURA: The Explorer

AURA connects engineers with knowledge across SOLIDWORKS, enterprise data and the web, helping guide decisions and explore design possibilities.

Think of AURA as: your AI co-pilot for discovery and guidance.

⚙️ LEO: The Engineer

LEO focuses on real-world engineering tasks such as generating assemblies, validating designs and ensuring manufacturability.

Think of LEO as: the engineer that makes ideas practical.

🧪 MARIE: The Scientist

Marie brings scientific reasoning into the design process, supporting material selection, validation and advanced analysis.

Think of Marie as: the scientific brain behind your designs.

Why Three AI Companions?

At first glance, having three AI assistants might seem unnecessary.

In reality, they represent different perspectives on the same problem.

• AURA explores possibilities
• LEO focuses on engineering feasibility
• Marie validates scientific accuracy

Together, they provide a more complete and balanced approach to design and decision-making.

Watch: Virtual Companion Announcement at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026

Want to see SOLIDWORKS AI Companions in action? Here’s SOLIDWORKS CEO, Manish Kumar on the introduction of next level AI in SOLIDWORKS.

What Can AI Companions Actually Do?

SOLIDWORKS AI companions are already capable of:

• Suggesting modelling steps in real time
• Generating assembly structures from prompts
• Automating drawings and documentation
• Identifying design issues early
• Providing simulation feedback

They can even analyse your workflow and recommend the best tools to use next, reducing time spent navigating menus and improving productivity.

A Shift from Tools to Teammates

This is the key difference.

AI in SOLIDWORKS is no longer just about speeding up tasks.

It is about introducing AI teammates that actively support engineers throughout the design process.

These companions:

• Understand context
• Learn from your behaviour
• Assist across the entire lifecycle

This marks a shift from CAD being a tool you operate to a system that works alongside you.

How This Fits Into SOLIDWORKS AI

AI companions are just one part of the wider SOLIDWORKS AI ecosystem.

They sit alongside:

• Generative design
• Predictive modelling
• Automated documentation
• AI-driven simulation

👉 If you want a full overview of how SOLIDWORKS AI works, read our guide here.

Why This Matters for Engineering Teams

For engineering teams, AI companions offer:

• Faster design workflows
• Reduced manual effort
• Better decision making
• More consistent outputs

They also help reduce the learning curve for new users by providing real-time guidance.

Watch: LEO Generating an Assembly Structure

The Future of AI Companions in SOLIDWORKS

AI companions are still evolving, but their direction is clear.

We are moving towards:

• Fully conversational design workflows
• Greater automation across engineering processes
• Deeper integration with cloud data and simulation

Over time, these companions will become a core part of how engineering teams work.

Watch: SOLIDWORKS Discuss LEO & AURA

Talk to Visiativ About SOLIDWORKS AI

At Visiativ, we help businesses adopt the latest SOLIDWORKS technologies, including AI-driven tools and workflows.

If you want to understand how AI companions can fit into your design process, our team can help.

👉 Get in touch with our experts.