NI LabVIEW 2009 LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Module Released!

[MarkBlack]

This software allows users to run code on their computers to control LEGO® NXT Bricks and compile, download, and run LabVIEW code directly to the NXT.  The new NXT Module 2009 represents a considerable improvement in features and usability over past versions.

• Totally redesigned APIs
• Full access to LabVIEW debugging tools
• Control NXT bricks either by running code in LabVIEW or compiling and deploying code to the NXT brick
• VIs for TETRIX kits are available out of the box
• Support for all LEGO® MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 sensors.
• NXT Applications  
  • Data Viewer, Piano Player, NXT Multimeter, Remote Control, and Scope

The module can be downloaded here. 

Please feel free to ask questions and provide feedback to NI R&D.

Thanks,

Mark

Product Support Engineer - LabVIEW R&D

[AndrewDudney]

Nice! But I guess that doesn't mean that you will be releasing a free version any time soon... does it. 

Oh! BTW (slightly off topic) you should remove the "Select Your Operating System" block on the Student edition cd order form. It just gets peoples hopes up that they might get a mac version. 

Andrew 

Message Edited by AndrewDudney on 10-22-2009 10:27 PM

[RoboGirl]

To reinforce what I have been learning with LabVIEW, I created a tutorial.  Please check it out and give me feedback.

http://www.mackacademy.com/ICA/BLOGS/MackAcademy.nsf/dx/my-first-labview-tutorial-video-random-touch

[japrenticeuk]

Mark

Thanks - I have two queries for you or anyone who has tried it: 

(a) Is it possible to tell at runtime if a VI is running in the NXT or in the Host PC - one could have constants for some inputs in first case and "knobs" in the second? 

(b) The Help says - 

NXT Native I/O

The NXT Native I/O palette (NXT I/O»NXT Native I/O) has a variety of VIs from the original tool kit. If you use these functions in your program, keep in mind that they will only execute in Remote mode. 

I cannot see this palette. Is this a bug in Help or an omission from the toolkit?

Best wishes

John Prentice 

[Wolfgang-Heidelberg]

When I want to install the Module i get the message that i have first to install the 32Bit Version from Labview.

I have Windows 7 as 64Bit mechien running.

Can someone help me?

[MarkBlack]

The NXT Module 2009 requires LabVIEW 2009 32 bit.  This version of LabVIEW can be installed on 64 bit OSes including Windows 7 64 bit.  An evaluation version of LabVIEW 2009 is available for download.  

[Nli]

Hi John,

a). Yes, you can tell if a VI is running on NXT or computer by checking its "banner menu" -- the small display at the bottom-left corner of the VI's window. "Main application Instance" indicates it's running on computer; "NXT: nxt_name" indicates it's on a brick called "nxt_name".

b). This palette is visible only when you create a VI targeting NXT (e.g. File>>New NXT VI). The help description is then correct after you are on an NXT VI. Our documentation team will work on improve it. Thanks for your feedback!

-Nan

[japrenticeuk]

Mark, greetings

As you say "a). Yes, you can tell if a VI is running on NXT or computer by checking its "banner menu" -- the small display at the bottom-left corner of the VI's window. "Main application Instance" indicates it's running on computer; "NXT: nxt_name" indicates it's on a brick called "nxt_name"."

I meant to ask if the executing code tell where it is running. It seems this would be necessary to "multiplex" a suitable constant when on the brick instead of a value from a front panel control used when testing targetted on the PC.

John Prentice 

[Nli]

Hi John,

No, I'm afraid there is no programmatic way of telling that -- the code won't compile in NXT target, even if it works in computer mode. What's the use case of doing that? Maybe it can be solved using other methods.

-Nan

[japrenticeuk]

---

Nli wrote:

-- the code won't compile in NXT target, even if it works in computer mode. What's the use case of doing that? 

---

But the beauty of the new blocks in LV2009 is that the same code will compile for NXT and run in the computer except for the issue of panel controls not existing at run time.

 Hence wanting to make runtime decisions

 Perhaps I am missing something obvious

 

John Prentice