Tovan
Tovan is an AI-powered software-as-a-service platform that enables non-engineers to design custom printed circuit boards (PCBs) and enclosures from natural language prompts. Users simply describe their desired electronic device, and Tovan's generative AI engine creates a complete design, including schematics, layouts, and 3D models for enclosures. The platform abstracts away the complexity of traditional electronic design automation (EDA) tools, allowing hobbyists, designers, and entrepreneurs to rapidly prototype hardware without specialized engineering knowledge. The platform works through an intuitive web-based editor where users input a text prompt specifying the functionality, components, and form factor of their project. Tovan's AI then interprets the requirements and generates a manufacturing-ready design, handling component selection, routing, and mechanical integration. The tool supports iterative refinement, enabling users to tweak designs based on feedback and preview results in real-time. It aims to compress the typical hardware development cycle from weeks to minutes. Key features include unlimited projects for paid tiers, a monthly compute budget that determines the AI processing capacity, and tiered pricing plans (Pro, Pro+, Ultra) to accommodate individuals to teams. The free trial requires no credit card or signup, offering immediate access to test the tool's capabilities. Tovan is positioned as a bridge between idea and prototype, making electronics design accessible to a broader audience.
- Category
- Design
- Pricing
- Paid
Problem solved
Many aspiring builders and creators have ideas for electronic devices but lack the expertise to design PCBs and enclosures, which traditionally requires engineering skills, expensive software, and long iteration cycles. Tovan solves this by converting natural language descriptions into professional-grade designs, eliminating the technical barrier and accelerating the path from concept to physical product.
Use cases
- Rapid prototyping of IoT devices and smart gadgets without hiring an engineer.
- Designing custom enclosures for Raspberry Pi or Arduino projects.
- Creating wearable tech and sensor modules with specified form factors.
- Iterating on a product idea by instantly regenerating designs after changing the prompt.
- Educational exploration of electronics by visualizing how circuit layouts and enclosures come together.
- Pre-engineering feasibility checks for startups before committing to full development.
Audience
- Designers
- Product Managers
- Hobbyists
- Startups
Pros
- No engineering expertise required; natural language input.
- Generates both PCB and enclosure designs in one integrated workflow.
- Free trial with no sign-up lowers the barrier to entry.
- Tiered pricing scales from individual builders to professional teams.
- Dramatically reduces time from idea to manufacturable design.
Cons
- May not handle highly complex or specialized electronics design.
- Monthly compute budgets could limit usage for heavy prototyping.
- Relatively new tool; community and documentation may be sparse.
Official website: https://www.tovan.ai/
Canonical LambdaBase page: https://www.lambdabase.com/tools/tovan