Java for the NXT: leJOS NXJ 0.6 is out (finally for Mac OSX)

The guys from leJOS, the Open Source Java platform for the NXT, have released a new version:

"NXJ Version 0.6 is available for download. Along with numerous bug fixes, this version includes: Full Mac OSX support, output using System.out and System.err, switch statements, Bluetooth GPS, Bluetooth keyboard (SPP not HID), preliminary javax.bluetooth API, auto-run a program and many more (see notes). Please report any bugs to the forums."

Try it!

Programming the NXT with C++

leJOS OSEK, a C/C++ based Open Source programming and runtime platform for the NXT, has released version 2 now.

From the project's web site:

"LEJOS OSEK is an open source firmware for LEGO® MINDSTORMS NXT. LEJOS OSEK consists of I/O driver part of leJOS NXJ platform C/Assembly source code, TOPPERS OSEK Real-Time Operating System source code[...] and glue code to make them work together. LEJOS OSEK can provide:

• ANSI C/C++ programming environment[...]
• leJOS NXJ I/O driver based C API for NXT Sensors, Motor, and other devices
• leJOS NXJ I/O driver based C++ API for NXT Sensors and Motor (includes many third party sensors)
• (TOPPERS) OSEK provided real-time multi tasking features proven in automotive industry
• fast execution and less memory consumption[...]
  
• NXT BIOS enables LEJOS OSEK application uploaded into Flash (max. 224Kbytes) or SRAM (max. 64Kbytes)
• Many examples (include NXTway-GS and NXT GT...)"

If you are into C or C++, you might want to give this interesting project a try (and provide feedback here, please).

Java on the NXT: Eclipse plugin for leJOS NXJ 0.5

The Eclipse plugin for the most recent version 0.5 of leJOS NXJ, the Java platform for the NXT, is available now.
Integrated into the popular Eclipse platform, it allows for uploading the firmware and developing, compiling and uploading leJOS NXJ programs to the brick. With a lot of bug fixes and enhancements, it supports the most recent Eclipse version 3.3 (Europa) on Java 6, thus runs on Windows and Linux.

For installation and usage, consult the according entry in the News section of the leJOS homepage.

Please direct feedback and questions either to the author (me) or to the leJOS forum.

Model-Driven design of NXT programs

Prof. Frank Zimmermann from the Nordakademie polytechnic in Elmshorn, Germany, has published an Eclipse plugin that allows you to graphically model NXT applications based on statemachines and generate code from it that can be run on the brick (based on leJOS NXJ).

Very interesting approach and the only NXT language next to NXT-G (and maybe the VL contained in Microsoft's Robotics Studio) with a graphical syntax.

As an additional (quite helpful debugging) feature, you can even use the diagram to watch the execution of the program on the NXT!

The whole thing can be seen live also on the OOP in Munich next week at Gentleware's booth.

Update: a video of the plugin in action on the OOP can be viewed here.

Step-by-step instructions for Java on the NXT

Some guys from the Eindhoven University of Technology have created a tutorial that provides step-by-step instructions for the installation and configuration of leJOS NXJ. leJOS NXJ is a Java platform that enables you to write Java programs for the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT and run them on the brick.
The tutorial also shows how to use the popular IDE Eclipse for that.

Hence, if you are into Object Oriented Programming when it comes to your NXT, check it out.

Thanks, Christoph and Hu!

Java for the NXT: leJOS NXJ 0.4 out now

The leJOS team has released a new beta version of leJOS NXJ, the Java platform for the NXT.
leJOS NXJ 0.4 beta brings along new features like

"NXT to NXT Bluetooth comms, a comms proxy to talk via sockets to the outside world, greatly improved MIDP LCD UI and graphics, primitive playing of wav sound samples, a multi-level menu, and lots of other enhancements"

So if you are interested to implement your NXT programs with Java, give it a try!

leJOS NXJ: new release 0.3 out now

The guys from leJOS NXJ, the Open Source Java platform for the NXT, have published the new 0.3 release. From the release news:

"This new version has many new features including storing programs and data to flash memory, a menu system, a file system, and an explorer that runs on your computer."

Sounds promising! Give it a try (I'll decidedly do!) and post your feedback here.