Emerson Expands AI Ecosystem Access to NI Test Technology

New MCP Servers improve interoperability with third-party AI agents, accelerating workflow productivity and automating the management of test data

Key takeaways: 

• Emerson’s NI test technology roadmap expands to include new MCP servers for hardware and test operations software.
• New NI Device Drivers MCP Server connects compatible AI applications with over 400 NI devices enabling interoperability to increase workflow productivity.
• New NI SystemLink™ MCP Server with Nigel™ intelligence extends third-party AI connectivity to further automate test systems and data.

AUSTIN, Texas (Nov. 10, 2026) – Global automation leader Emerson today announced an expansion of its open NI test platform strategy, connecting NI hardware, software, data and test expertise with the growing ecosystem of AI tools. New Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers are the latest step in that strategy, creating new connections between compatible third-party AI applications and the NI test platform to help test engineers accelerate productivity. The servers are now part of Emerson’s broad portfolio of test AI tools that include Nigel™ AI.

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The NI Device Drivers MCP Server connects compatible AI applications with NI hardware and driver knowledge with over 400 devices, including data acquisition (DAQ) and PCI extensions for Instrumentation (PXI) hardware. The NI SystemLink™ MCP Server, with Nigel intelligence, extends that connectivity to test system and data management.

In 2027, Emerson will release MCP servers that provide connectivity to NI LabVIEW™ and NI TestStand™, enabling hundreds of thousands of users worldwide to program and automate using their AI application of choice, fulfilling a popular feature request from the LabVIEW community.

Test engineering teams are taking a broad range of approaches to AI adoption, with many standardizing on specific AI agents—and others using in-product, test and measurement-specific AI tools like Nigel. Emerson’s open test platform strategy gives engineers the flexibility to connect NI test capabilities with their broader technology ecosystem.

“We give engineers broad flexibility in how they design their test systems, and that now extends to AI,” said Ritu Favre, president of Emerson’s test and measurement business. “These MCP servers give compatible AI applications direct access to NI hardware, software, drivers and test data. We believe the best test platform works alongside the tools engineers already use and can keep adapting, especially in a time of rapid change.”

The new MCP capabilities complement Nigel AI, which offers integrated, test-specific AI automation into the software. Nigel provides purpose-built AI across the NI platform, while MCP servers provide an open connection between compatible third-party AI applications and NI capabilities.

Learn more at ni.com/aiextensions.