Mindstorms software upgraded

National Instruments and the LEGO Group have updated the software for the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robotics system. Version 1.1 now provides support for the Windows Vista operating system and for Intel based Macintosh computers in addition to improving memory usage on the NXT Intelligent Brick. “The new software gives users the opportunity to take advantage of the latest operating systems while improving the functionality of the product,” said Steven Canvin, business development manager at the LEGO Group. “These software enhancements and compiler improvements are a direct result of our close collaboration with LEGO Group,” said Andy Bell, National Instruments’ academic product manager. “It is exciting to provide continual innovations to LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT users and we look forward to aligning our products with leading technologies.” The updated software remains compatible with the NI LabVIEW Toolkit for LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT, which allows LabVIEW users to create and download VIs to operate and control the robotics platform. For more information, readers can visit