[[TOC(Features)]]
= Summary =
The RWTH - Mindstorms NXT Toolbox provides several MATLAB functions for controlling[[BR]]
 * Bluetooth and USB connections, [[BR]]
 * the NXT sensors (e.g. touch, sound, light and ultrasonic sensor), [[BR]]
 * further digital NXT sensors (e.g. infrared seeker, accelerator and compass sensor), [[BR]]
 * the NXT servo motors and[[BR]]
 * additional NXT system features (e.g. get battery level, play tone). [[BR]]
Additionally, helper functions for an effective programming experience are implemented.[[BR]]
|| '''View [http://www.mathworks.com/mason/tag/proxy.html?dataid=13103&fileid=65410 fact sheet by The MathWorks (PDF) ]''' ||




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= Unique features =
The following features make the RWTH - Mindstorms NXT toolbox state of the art in languages which control the NXT from a computer:[[BR]]

  (!)   '''Precise and fast motor movements''' of ±1 degree accuracy, thanks to the special hybrid technology MotorControl[[BR]][[BR]]
  (!)   '''Easy-to-use high level commands''' that don't require knowledge of the underlying NXT communication protocol[[BR]][[BR]]
  (!)   '''Multi-NXT support''' to control and mix as many USB or Bluetooth devices as your hardware supports[[BR]][[BR]]
  {*}   '''Comprehensive documentation''' with descriptions and examples for every function[[BR]][[BR]]
  {*}   '''Performance optimized functions''' to get the fastest results possible[[BR]][[BR]]
  {*}   '''Well tested and stable''' - used by around 400 students each year, + many more university projects world-wide[[BR]][[BR]]
  {*}   '''Platform independent''' - runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS[[BR]][[BR]]
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= Advantages of using the RWTH - Mindstorms NXT Toolbox =
(compared to programming languages operating directly on the NXT brick)
 * Huge increase in available CPU power and memory [[BR]]
 * Virtually unlimited program size (compared to classic NXT programs) [[BR]]
 * Control multiple robots from within one single program (only limited by hardware) [[BR]] 
 * Run remote MATLAB programs to observe sensors etc. while classic NXT programs are executing at the same time [[BR]]
 * Use additional common hardware, e.g. webcams, joysticks, etc. [[BR]]
 * Advanced debugging features are fully supported, i.e. breakpoints, step-by-step execution, on-the-fly variable inspection [[BR]]
 * Enjoy the advantages of networking and internet in your robot applications [[BR]]
 * Impressive and well-documented 2D- and 3D-visualization capabilities for data representation [[BR]]
 * Use existing programs, toolboxes or libraries, e.g. neural networks, image processing, databases [[BR]]
 * Easy-to-use MATLAB profiler to detect bottlenecks of your programs [[BR]]
 * Use MATLAB's GUIDE® to easily design applications and forms using drag and drop [[BR]]
 * The RWTH Mindstorms NXT Toolbox is stable and was successfully tested by over 380 students using about 200 NXT robots and 200 computers running various operating systems