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AI agent for automotive engineers

Bill of Materials Cost Rollup Agent

A current unit cost at each volume, compared with the target, with options if it is over

Budgets and moneyDecisionsCreativesProduct development
See how it worksGet access
Bill of Materials Cost Rollup Agent: what goes in, what the agent does and what you get

What it does

Cost grows with every design change and is checked only at the end. After each design revision, this agent updates the bill of materials and asks suppliers' price lists or current quotes for each part. It rolls up the unit cost at several volumes, such as 1,000, 5,000 and 20,000 units, and compares the result with the target. If the cost is over target, it lists the biggest cost drivers and options, such as a cheaper material, fewer parts or a different supplier, and recalculates each. It then checks that each option still meets the spec. The designer approves the final cost. Edge case: a tooling cost is spread over the volume and shown separately so it does not hide a high part price.

How it works

Follow the arrows from top to bottom. The orange dashed arrow is the loop: when a check fails, the agent goes back and tries again.

Start and resultWhat it doesA check on its own workWaits for your OKGoes back and retries
Yes, continueYes, continueApprovedNoNo 1 STARTS WHEN Design revision saved 2 USES A TOOL Update the bill of materials from the revision 3 USES A TOOL Look up current prices for each part 4 DOES Roll up the unit cost at each planned volume 5 CHECKS THE RESULT Is the unit cost at or under the target at theplanned volume? If not: list the top cost drivers and calculate options.Back to step 2. 6 DOES Check each option against the spec 7 CHECKS THE RESULT Does each option still meet the spec? If not: remove the option and try the next. Back to step6. 8 YOU APPROVE Designer approves the final cost and chosen options 9 RESULT Cost rollup report
Read the steps as a list
  1. Design revision saved
  2. Update the bill of materials from the revision
  3. Look up current prices for each part
  4. Roll up the unit cost at each planned volume
  5. Is the unit cost at or under the target at the planned volume?If not: list the top cost drivers and calculate options. Back to step 2.
  6. Check each option against the spec
  7. Does each option still meet the spec?If not: remove the option and try the next. Back to step 6.
  8. Designer approves the final cost and chosen optionsThe agent waits here for your OK.
  9. Cost rollup report

How it decides

A revision passes when the unit cost at the planned volume is at or under target. Options are kept only if they still meet the spec.

  • Compare cost at each planned volume
  • Show tooling separately and per unit
  • Rank cost drivers by share of total
  • Drop an option that breaks the spec

Make it yours

Every agent is a starting point. You choose these settings for your own situation.

  • Volumes to roll up
  • Target cost
  • Maximum age of a price (default 90 days)
  • Currency

What keeps you in control

It always asks you first

  • Choosing a cost-saving option
  • Updating the cost shown to the client

Hard limits

  • Never places an order
  • Never uses prices older than 90 days without noting it

It stops when

  • Done: cost known and the designer approved
  • Stop: price data is missing for a major part

Set it up

We guide you through the set-up, step by step

Members get the full set-up guide for this agent. No technical skills needed: you copy, paste and upload.

10 minto set it up in your AI
5 AIsChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini, Grok
  • One set of instructions to paste into your AI, with the clicks for ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Gemini and Grok
  • The agent then walks you through connecting your own data, one source at a time
  • A downloadable copy with the flow chart, the rules and the full guide
Get access to this agent

An example run

What happensRevision 7 of a kettle came out at $11.40 against a $10.50 target at 5,000 units. The agent found that the lid hinge and the heating plate made up 44% of the cost. It tested a plastic hinge at $0.60 less, but that failed the heat spec, so the check failed. The stainless steel plate from another supplier saved $0.40. A second option saved $0.55, and the designer approved both.

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