Emerson has integrated its NI Nigel AI technology into its test automation portfolio, enabling prompt-based code generation and cross-platform intelligence across the entire test lifecycle. The expansion, announced at the NI Connect conference in May 2026, targets aerospace, semiconductor, transportation, and other mission-critical industries.
Overview
Nigel AI is a test-optimized AI system designed to operate within the constraints of engineering environments. It will be embedded across Emerson’s NI software suite, including LabVIEW+ Suite, FlexLogger, InstrumentStudio, TestStand, and SystemLink. The enhancements aim to reduce test development time from days or hours to minutes while maintaining transparency and control. General availability is expected later in 2026.
Key Features
- Prompt-based code generation: Engineers can generate test code using natural language prompts within the LabVIEW+ Suite.
- Cross-platform intelligence: Nigel AI provides context-aware guidance across development, validation, and deployment workflows.
- Hardware integration: The NI platform supports low size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements while ensuring high configurability for diverse signals and precise timing.
- Data foundation: A shared data layer simplifies measurement data capture, management, and reuse, enabling analytics and long-term optimization.
Use Cases
Emerson highlights internal testing where Nigel AI reduced troubleshooting time from hours to minutes. External partners, including NVIDIA, Alstom, Valeo, Zap Energy, and Cyth Systems, demonstrated applications in next-generation product validation during NI Connect keynotes.
Tradeoffs
While Nigel AI accelerates development, Emerson emphasizes that the system is designed to maintain measurement integrity and system reliability—critical for regulated industries. The AI operates within predefined constraints to avoid compromising test rigor.
Bottom Line
Emerson’s AI-ready test automation platform unifies hardware, software, and data to address growing complexity in test engineering. By embedding Nigel AI into everyday tools, the company aims to help teams move faster without sacrificing precision or compliance.