ELISE was conceived early on (ca. 2005) as a systematic approach that used design proposals based on natural lightweight construction principles in combination with optimization methods to achieve unusual, highly efficient lightweight construction solutions. Since 2010 ELISE is available as a mature development process (see video), which leads to very good and innovative results, but requires highly specialized expertise and is therefore complex, time and cost intensive. We used it for pilot and research projects that were designed for the longer term and were intended to explore the limits of what was feasible. It is not suitable for being integrated by industrial partners into their own development processes. For highly efficient development work, the new ELISE software (see above) is now an ideal, flexible tool, which is not only used for product development, but also increasingly in research for innovations in multifunctional lightweight construction.
 

Explanation video about the ELISE process (status 2010):
The general approach is still valid and has been standardized in a VDI guideline, among others. However, many of the development steps have now been automated in the ELISE software. In addition, the range of services has been considerably expanded there (originally focus on weight minimization and statics, now taking into account costs, manufacturing restrictions and other aspects).