Build Smarter Robots with Plug-and-Play Edge AI

A plug-and-play platform for vision, automation, and edge AI, built for FIRST Robotics teams.

What Is NEPI?

NEPI is a plug-and-play edge AI and automation platform designed for robotics teams.

It acts as the software layer between your robot hardware, sensors, AI models, and control logic, bringing everything into a single, unified interface.

Instead of building and maintaining complex software infrastructure from scratch, teams use NEPI to focus on robot behavior, strategy, and performance.

NEPI is designed to grow with your team, whether you are starting with basic vision and control or adding AI-driven autonomy over time.

With NEPI, FIRST Robotics teams can add edge AI, vision, and automation to their robot without having to design a complex software architecture from scratch.

Teams commonly use NEPI to:

  • Run AI vision models at the edge for object detection, tracking, and game-piece recognition

  • Bring up live camera feeds with visual overlays for alignment, targeting, and debugging

  • Create low-code automation scripts to trigger actions based on vision or sensor input

  • Run everything on an edge computer such as an NVIDIA Jetson

You don’t need to be an engineer to add AI automation to your system – NEPI makes it easy.

With NEPI, teams can go beyond manual control and basic sensing:

  • Drop in AI models for vision, detection, or decision-making

  • Use built-in interfaces to manage sensors, cameras, and data streams

  • Write low-code scripts to automate behaviors and workflows

  • Trigger actions based on events instead of constant driver input

  • Combine sensors, vision, and logic into repeatable routines

NEPI makes edge AI and automation approachable, even if your team is new to AI.

Can NEPI run AI on the robot during a match?

Yes.
NEPI is designed for onboard edge AI, meaning AI models run directly on the robot during operation rather than only after data is collected.

Teams use this to test vision-assisted behaviors, sensor-driven logic, and real-time decision support.

Do we need to be advanced programmers to use NEPI?

No.
NEPI is built so teams can get started without deep software or AI expertise. Much of the system integration is already handled, allowing teams to focus on experimenting, testing, and learning rather than building infrastructure.

Does NEPI replace WPILib or our robot code?

No.
NEPI does not replace WPILib, your robot code, or your drivetrain control.

It runs alongside your existing robot software and acts as a supporting system for AI, sensor processing, automation, and data handling.

How does NEPI fit into a typical FIRST robot setup?

NEPI typically runs on an onboard computer and:

  • Connects to cameras and sensors

  • Runs AI models and processing pipelines

  • Publishes results that can be used by your robot code or operators

Teams decide how tightly or loosely they want NEPI integrated.

Is NEPI only useful for computer vision?

No.
While many FIRST teams use NEPI for vision, it can also support:

  • Sensor-driven automation

  • Event-based data capture

  • Telemetry logging and analysis

  • Combining multiple sensor inputs into higher-level behaviors

Can beginner teams start small with NEPI?

Yes.
Many teams start with:

  • Live camera streaming

  • Recording match or practice data

  • Running basic AI models

More advanced automation or AI-assisted behaviors can be added over time.

Are teams locked into using NEPI long-term?

No.
NEPI is a tool to help teams learn faster and prototype smarter. Teams can use it where it adds value and extend, modify, or move away from it as their system evolves.

What hardware does NEPI run on?

NEPI runs on common onboard compute platforms, including NVIDIA Jetson–based systems, and supports many standard cameras and sensors used in FIRST Robotics robots.

Where can teams learn more or get help?

Teams can find documentation, tutorials, and examples at:
👉 https://nepi.com

Additional guidance and community support are available throughout the season.

Get Started With NEPI

First Robotics Team Setup Process

  1. 🚀 Visit the NEPI Container page and follow the step-by-step instructions to install and run the NEPI container.

  2. 📘 Create an account on the NEPI Community page to access documentation, ask questions, and share feedback with the NEPI team.

  3. 💬 Join the NEPI Discord channel for quick questions, and discussion with other MATE ROV teams during the competition season.

  4. 🤖 Use NEPI to connect your sensors, automation, and AI vision as you build and test your ROV mission workflows.

  5. 🎓 Complete the short feedback survey to receive a free educational license for continued use throughout the competition season.

                         *This program is available exclusively to registered 2026 MATE ROV Competition teams.*