Overview

Using NXT-Python, you can control one or several NXT bricks from your computer. The program you write is running on your computer, not on the NXT brick, so the computer must be able to communicate with the brick during the whole program lifetime.

Communication is done through USB or Bluetooth. You can also relay communication over the network through another computer running the nxt_server program which is part of NXT-Python.

The Brick Object

All interaction with the NXT brick is done using the Brick class. You will first have to find a brick using the nxt.locator.find() function which will return an instance of this class.

The Brick object have functions to access the brick capabilities. There is a function for every low level system and direct command exposed by the NXT brick.

There are also higher level functions to access the brick file system for example.

You could do everything just using low level functions, but to access motors and sensors, you will likely prefer to use the motors and sensors objects.

Motor Control

You can make an instance of the Motor class for each connected motor. This allows to control the motors with a nicer interface than using the low level function.

Keep in mind that as the program is running on your computer, there can be a delay which will reduce the motor control precision. To solve this problem, you can use the MotCont class which cooperates with a program running on the NXT brick to allow fine control.

The situation could be improved by using an improved firmware for the NXT brick, but this is not supported yet.

Sensors

Many different sensors can be connected to the NXT brick. This is supported in NXT-Python thanks to the sensor classes hierarchy. There is a class for every LEGO official sensor, and also classes for HiTechnic and Mindsensors sensors.

If your sensor is not supported, please contribute its support!