AI Solutions Purpose-Built for Test Engineering: How Nigel™ AI is Innovating Test & Measurement
- 5 hours ago
- 6 min read
Key Takeaways
Traditional generative AI tools lack the technical context required for test engineering.
NI Nigel™ AI combines AI with domain-specific expertise to accelerate test software development.
Built into the LabVIEW™+ Suite, Nigel provides contextual guidance, code generation, and workflow automation within existing engineering environments.
Integrated tools across the LabVIEW+ platform help engineers reduce development time, improve test quality, and accelerate product validation.
Meet The Industry’s First AI Test and Measurement Solution
AI is rapidly becoming part of the engineering workflow, but most AI assistants remain general-purpose tools that lack the specialised knowledge required for test and measurement applications. But now, NI Nigel™ AI has emerged as an AI solution designed specifically for test development.
Integrated directly into the NI LabVIEW™+ Suite, Nigel AI introduces AI-assisted code generation for LabVIEW, allowing engineers to describe what they want in natural language and receive LabVIEW code suggestions. Rather than starting from a blank block diagram, engineers can rapidly prototype, learn new APIs, automate repetitive development tasks, and help new LabVIEW users become productive faster. Nigel AI has been specifically trained using NI engineering knowledge, including hardware, software, test methodologies and data analysis
AI Embedded Within the LabVIEW™ + Suite
Rather than functioning as a standalone chatbot, Nigel AI operates as a native capability inside the LabVIEW+ Suite. Engineers can access AI-powered recommendations while designing applications, writing code, configuring instruments, or developing automated test sequences.
Nigel has comprehensive visibility into project context, including LabVIEW applications, NI TestStand™ sequences, hardware configurations, and development assets. This connection enables specific, relevant responses.
What is LabVIEW+ Suite?
The LabVIEW+ Suite combines NI's industry-leading software tools into a single development environment for measurement, automation, data analysis, and automated test. Together, these integrated applications enable engineers to develop, validate, and maintain sophisticated test systems more efficiently.
Core components include:
NI InstrumentStudio™ for instrument configuration and interactive hardware control.
NI LabVIEW™ for graphical application development, hardware communication, and automated measurement.
NI TestStand™ for sequencing, execution management, and automated test reporting.
NI DIAdem™ for advanced data analysis, visualization, and professional reporting
Moreover, Nigel AI integrates across the NI software ecosystem. Engineers can begin with FlexLogger for rapid no-code measurements, transition to LabVIEW for advanced automation, and use Nigel AI to accelerate code development. Within TestStand, Nigel AI assists with building and optimising automated test sequences incorporating LabVIEW, Python, C/C++, .NET and other supported languages.
How ANZ Engineers Benefit from Nigel™ AI Key Advantages
Nigel extends the LabVIEW+ ecosystem by introducing intelligent assistance directly into daily engineering workflows:
Generate LabVIEW code from natural language prompts.
Reduce development time and accelerate prototyping.
Help new engineers learn LabVIEW, TestStand, FlexLogger, InstrumentStudio and VeriStand through working examples.
Increase productivity by automating routine coding tasks.
Purpose-built for Test & Measurement, leveraging NI's decades of engineering expertise.
Nigel is built on Emerson's secure cloud platform. Communications between NI software and the Nigel AI service are encrypted using industry-standard Transport Layer Security (TLS).
Access information about connected NI hardware, including calibration, specifications, documentation, device capabilities and performance.
Accelerate test sequence development and validation in TestStand.
Support engineers in over 95 languages.
Emerson Expands AI into Test & Measurement Software
Following the successful integration of Nigel™ AI into the LabVIEW™+ Suite, Emerson has expanded AI capabilities across its flagship test and measurement software portfolio with the introduction of Nigel™ AI Advisor. Embedded within NI LabVIEW™ and NI TestStand™, Nigel AI Advisor is designed to simplify complex test workflows by providing engineers with intelligent, context-aware assistance throughout the development process.
By incorporating AI directly into its software ecosystem, Emerson is helping engineering teams reduce manual effort, streamline test development, and accelerate innovation. Rather than replacing engineering expertise, Nigel enhances productivity by automating routine tasks and delivering relevant technical guidance within existing workflows.
Looking ahead, Emerson plans to extend Nigel AI capabilities across additional test software products. As large language models continue to evolve and Nigel becomes increasingly specialized for test and measurement applications, engineers can expect more sophisticated automation, deeper technical insights, and expanded support throughout the product development lifecycle.
How Braemac Supports AI Innovation for Test & Measurement
AI-generated code should always be reviewed and validated by engineers. Nigel AI is designed to accelerate engineering workflows and improve productivity, not replace engineering judgement. And, as a global electronics distributor with a value-added approach, Braemac understands the complexities of new test platform development or modernizing existing validation environments, Braemac provides the engineering expertise and technology partnerships needed to help customers integrate AI-powered test solutions with confidence.
As an authorized NI distributor, Braemac helps engineering teams maximize the value of the LabVIEW+ Suite and Nigel™ AI through expert guidance, technical support, and complete system solutions. Braemac works closely with customers to develop scalable test architectures by combining NI's industry-leading test software with complementary embedded computing, connectivity, power management, sensing, and display technologies. This end-to-end approach enables organizations to accelerate product development, improve validation workflows, and deploy reliable automated test systems faster.
Watch NI’s on-demand webinar, Generate LabVIEW Code with NI Nigel™ AI and the NI LabVIEW+ Suite, to see how the latest AI-powered capabilities are accelerating development. Discover how Nigel™ AI can generate LabVIEW code from natural-language prompts, create TestStand sequences, deliver data visualizations, and extend productivity across FlexLogger™ and InstrumentStudio™.
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About the Authors
Stuart Little
AU Sales Team Leader
Based in Sydney, Stuart Little leads Braemac’s Test & Measurement business, with a particular focus on the defense sector. Combining an engineering degree with more than 12 years of industry experience, he has built a diverse career spanning applications engineering, technical sales, and business leadership. Drawing on his experience with NI and work across the ANZ region, Little brings a deep understanding of customer challenges and a proven ability to help organizations implement innovative test and measurement solutions that drive engineering success.
Lorenz Yacto
Field Sales Engineer
With more than 13 years of industry experience, Lorenz Yacto combines a strong engineering foundation with a passion for innovation. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communication Engineering, he helps customers and teams navigate complex technical challenges and achieve their engineering objectives across a wide range of applications. A true technology enthusiast, Yacto enjoys exploring the latest gadgets, emerging technologies, and the innovative possibilities they create.
NI Nigel™ AI Frequently Asked Questions
What is NI Nigel™ AI?
NI Nigel™ AI is an AI-powered engineering assistant built specifically for test and measurement applications. Integrated into the LabVIEW™+ Suite, Nigel helps engineers accelerate software development, troubleshoot issues, generate code, and answer technical questions using context from NI tools, hardware, and documentation.
How is Nigel AI different from general-purpose AI tools?
Unlike general-purpose AI assistants, Nigel is purpose-built for test engineering. It understands NI software, hardware, and established test methodologies, enabling it to provide more accurate, context-aware guidance for measurement, automation, and validation workflows.
Which LabVIEW Versions have Access to Nigel™ Al?
To gain access to Nigel™ AI, users need to have utilized LabVIEW Professional for at least one year, and SSP is required. Select Your NI LabVIEW Edition - NI
How does LabView protect my data?
LabVIEW integrates with Nigel using a secure, enterprise-grade architecture designed to protect your data and privacy. Nigel runs on Emerson’s secure cloud platform and uses OpenAI models hosted on Microsoft Azure, which provides robust security and privacy protections. Data exchanged between LabVIEW, other NI software products, and Nigel is encrypted using industry-standard Transport Layer Security (TLS), with certificate-based authentication to help ensure communications remain secure and trusted.
Additionally, prompts and conversations are stored only on your local device and are not accessible to Emerson unless you explicitly choose to share them. In addition, data submitted through Nigel is not used to train large language models.
Which NI software includes Nigel AI?
Nigel AI is available as part of the LabVIEW™+ Suite and is integrated into NI LabVIEW™ and NI TestStand™. Engineers can access AI assistance directly within their existing development environment.
What tasks can Nigel AI help with?
Nigel AI supports a variety of engineering activities, including:
Writing and completing LabVIEW code
Developing and modifying TestStand™ sequences
Explaining NI functions and APIs
Troubleshooting programming issues
Recommending best practices for test system design
Answering technical questions about NI hardware and software
Does Nigel AI understand my project?
Yes. Nigel can use context from active LabVIEW projects, TestStand™ sequences, connected NI hardware, and other supported development assets to provide more relevant recommendations than standalone AI assistants.
How does Nigel AI improve engineering productivity?
By reducing time spent searching documentation, generating code, debugging applications, and switching between tools, Nigel helps engineers focus on designing and validating test systems. Intelligent automation and context-aware recommendations can significantly shorten development cycles.
Does Nigel AI replace engineering expertise?
No. Nigel is designed to augment engineers—not replace them. It serves as an intelligent assistant that automates repetitive tasks, surfaces relevant information, and provides technical guidance, allowing engineers to spend more time solving complex design and validation challenges.
Who can help organizations implement NI Nigel AI?
As an authorized NI distributor, Braemac helps customers evaluate, deploy, and optimize NI solutions, including the LabVIEW™+ Suite and Nigel AI. Braemac's engineering experts provide technical guidance, design support, and value-added services to help organizations accelerate test and measurement development.
