Creating a multi disciplinary team of AI agents to automate patent-based product development

Introduction: Product ideation is essential to developing new and innovative goods. However, transforming raw ideas into viable products requires a strategic approach and collaboration among experts. To facilitate this process, I've developed an application that utilizes the CrewAI library in Python to generate and optimize product ideas by tapping into existing patents. This article delves into how the application works, highlighting the steps involved and the role of each component. The full code can be found on Github: https://github.com/DriesFaems/CollaborativeProductDeveloper

Collecting patent data: I downloaded from the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) all 272 patent abstracts on the topic of #packaging where the company BASF is the applicant

Setting Up the Environment: The application leverages several key libraries:

• CrewAI: To create and manage teams of agents working on distinct tasks.
• LangChain: For search capabilities and interaction with external tools.
• OpenAI: For natural language processing and embedding models.

Building a Tool to search information from the Patent Database: To make the patent database more accessible, I created a vectordatabase for the collected patents and defined a custom search tool utilizing the ConversationalRetrievalChain class. Based on RAG, this tool allows agents to query the database in a natural, conversational manner, aiding in product ideation.

Creating the First Crew: The first crew consists of two specialized agents:

• Topic Identification Specialist: Responsible for identifying relevant topics in the patent database that could be the starting point for product development
• Product Development Specialist: This is the agent that actually develops the product development ideas

These agents collaborate to generate an initial product idea, covering all necessary aspects, from concept to potential market fit.

Optimizing the Product Idea: To further refine the product idea, we introduce a second crew comprising:

• Technical Expert: Optimizes the product for technical feasibility.
• Competition Expert: Enhances the product's distinctiveness against competitors.
• Finalization Expert: Brings together all elements, finalizing the product description.

This crew follows a hierarchical process, with a delegation manager deciding which agent should execute which part of the tasks

Generating and Refining Product Ideas: The second crew's work culminates in a final, comprehensive product idea. The entire process, from initial brainstorming to technical and competitive optimizations, is executed smoothly by the agents.

Here is the output that was generated by this application:

Initial product idea (output of first crew): The novel product idea is a sustainable packaging material specifically designed for agrochemicals. This product would combine various patents to provide a solution that is both environmentally friendly and efficient in protecting agrochemical products. The packaging material would leverage patented processes for producing closures of packaging containers, creating metal-plastic film composite materials, and developing coating agents based on a sterically stabilized, non-aqueous dispersion. This combination would result in a packaging solution that is robust, offering enhanced protection for agrochemical products, but also sustainable and recyclable, addressing key environmental concerns in the packaging industry.

The patents used in this product idea include those related to:

1. The production processes for packaging container closures

2. The creation of metal-plastic film composite materials

3. The development of coating agents based on a sterically stabilized, non-aqueous dispersion.

Optimized product idea (based on second crew): Our product is an innovative and sustainable packaging solution specifically designed for the agrochemical industry. Utilizing patented technologies, we create a protective barrier that adds to the durability and eco-friendliness of our packaging. Our solution incorporates a unique manufacturing process that constructs a metal-plastic film composite material and formulates effective coating agents. The integration of these processes has been made possible through the development of an advanced technology platform, which allows us to scale production while ensuring the highest quality. To address the environmental and regulatory challenges, we have invested significantly in R&D to ensure our product is not only compliant with all relevant regulations but also leads the way in eco-friendly packaging solutions. Part of this commitment includes the use of recycled materials and ongoing research into bio-based aerogels, enhancing our product's sustainability and reducing its environmental impact. Furthermore, our container closures are manufactured using a patented process that adds to the product's overall durability and usability. We have also explored automation for these processes to increase efficiency and reliability, ensuring a consistent quality of product. We are also dedicated to keeping our customers informed and educated about our product and its benefits. This includes staying updated with the latest innovations and trends in the agrochemical packaging industry, ensuring our product remains a leading solution in the market. In conclusion, our product is a technologically advanced, sustainable, and efficient packaging solution for the agrochemical industry, offering a high level of durability and eco-friendliness while adhering to all regulatory requirements.

Results and Conclusion: The application provides a streamlined method for generating and optimizing product ideas, harnessing the expertise of specialized agents. This approach saves time and ensures that the final product idea is both innovative and viable.

By leveraging CrewAI, LangChain, and OpenAI, we achieve a seamless workflow that guides ideas from inception to realization. This application represents a significant advancement in the field of product development, showcasing the power of collaborative AI agents.