NEPI Docker Container

Run NEPI anywhere in minutes — a ready-to-use environment for edge AI, automation, and sensor integration.


Launch in Minutes

Everything Pre-Built

Customize Your Way

Edge AI Ready

Why NEPI?

NEPI provides a ready-to-use platform for edge AI and automation, eliminating the need to manually integrate drivers, AI frameworks, and system infrastructure.

The NEPI Docker container provides a simple, repeatable way to install, run, and evaluate NEPI locally using Docker.

    • Install NEPI without manual dependency setup
    • Launch NEPI as a managed service and access it through a browser
    • Begin working with drivers, AI models, and automation workflows immediately

A quick overview of installing NEPI using the container and running real edge AI and automation in minutes.

I. Install NEPI Docker Container

Installing NEPI Docker container is straightforward and does not require prior experience. Most users should start with the Lite installation, then upgrade to the Full installation for embedded system deployments.

1. Install the NEPI Docker Lite: Start with the Lite setup to evaluate NEPI with minimal changes to your system. This is the recommended first step for all new users  as well as installation on edge devices.
→ NEPI Docker Lite Setup Tutorial

2. Install the NEPI Docker Full: After testing the NEPI Docker Lite installation, you can run the NEPI Docker Full installation to enable NEPI-managed system services for embedded deployments.  These services include automated configuration and real-time remote management of Network, Time, SSH, Docker, Network Drive Sharing, and other critical capabilities required for embedded solution deployment that don’t have dedicated displays, keyboards, and mice attached. 
→ NEPI Docker Full Setup Tutorial

II. Resources

  • NEPI Tutorials: Step-by-step guides to help you install, configure, and start using NEPI quickly.
  • NEPI Documentation: In-depth technical reference covering NEPI architecture, drivers, APIs, and configuration.
  • NEPI Videos: Short walkthroughs and demos showing NEPI features and real-world workflows. immediately
  •  NEPI Community Forum: Discussions for questions, troubleshooting, and shared solutions from users.
  • NEPI Discord: A real-time chat channel for NEPI users to discuss issues, share tips, and support one another.
  • NEPI Github: Open-source repository for NEPI code, setup scripts, and development resources.

III. About the NEPI Docker Container

The NEPI Docker container packages the full NEPI software platform into a single, portable environment that runs on top of your existing operating system. It allows you to install, run, and evaluate NEPI without manually configuring drivers, AI frameworks, or supporting system services.  

The NEPI Docker container is designed for developers, researchers, educators, and teams who want to build, test, or deploy edge AI and automation solutions quickly. It supports both first-time users evaluating NEPI and advanced users preparing systems for production deployment.

The container includes NEPI’s core software, plug-and-play hardware drivers, AI model management, automation applications, the Resident User Interface, and a persistent storage structure for data, models, and configurations. This provides a ready-to-use environment for building and testing edge AI and automation workflows.

After installing and starting the NEPI container system, you can access NEPI software through a web browser, connect hardware, load AI models, run automation workflows, and begin collecting and managing data. This lets you move directly from installation to hands-on development without additional setup.

NEPI Frequently Asked Questions

What is NEPI?

NEPI (Numurus Edge Platform Interface) is a plug-and-play, low-code edge AI and automation platform built on ROS and ROS 2. It provides the core software every smart system needs to connect hardware, process data, run AI models, automate actions, and manage data at the edge.

NEPI is often described as “Windows for smart systems.” Just like Windows standardized how computers interact with hardware, software, and users, NEPI standardizes how smart systems integrate sensors, AI, automation, and data so teams don’t have to rebuild the same foundation for every project.

Is NEPI open source?

Yes. NEPI is open source / open code.

The NEPI Engine source code, along with build and deployment tools, is publicly available. Teams can inspect, modify, extend, and deploy NEPI without vendor lock-in, while still benefiting from a production-ready platform.

What does Numurus offer with NEPI?

Numurus delivers turnkey, plug-and-play edge AI solutions powered by NEPI.

NEPI provides roughly 90% of what most smart systems need out of the box—including drivers, AI management, automation tools, and interfaces—while allowing teams to easily customize the final 10% using their own AI models, scripts, or workflows.

Who is NEPI for?

NEPI is used by:

  • Startups and early-stage teams building robotics, sensing, or automation products

  • Researchers who need reliable, repeatable smart data collection systems

  • Educators and student teams learning applied AI and automation

  • Engineering teams deploying AI-enabled systems in real-world environments

If your team needs to connect sensors, run AI at the edge, automate actions, and turn raw data into outcomes, NEPI is likely a strong fit.

What problems does NEPI solve?

NEPI eliminates the need to repeatedly build and maintain:

  • Hardware and sensor integration software

  • ROS and ROS 2 system plumbing

  • AI model deployment and orchestration pipelines

  • Automation and event-driven logic

  • Data collection, synchronization, and storage systems

This dramatically shortens development timelines, helping teams move from concept to field-ready prototype in days or weeks instead of months.

Do I need to be a software or AI expert to use NEPI?

No. NEPI is designed to make advanced edge AI accessible beyond traditional software teams.

Using NEPI, users can:

  • Bring up cameras, sensors, and devices quickly

  • Run AI models without building custom infrastructure

  • Configure automation and actions using low-code tools

Advanced teams can still extend NEPI deeply when needed.

How does NEPI relate to ROS and ROS 2?

NEPI is built on top of ROS and ROS 2.

Rather than replacing ROS, NEPI extends it by providing standardized drivers, AI management, automation tools, data handling, and user interfaces that many teams would otherwise need to engineer themselves.

NEPI accelerates ROS-based development while remaining fully compatible with the broader ROS and ROS 2 ecosystems.

What hardware does NEPI run on?

NEPI runs on embedded Linux systems, with NVIDIA Jetson platforms being the most widely used and supported.

NEPI can be:

  • Installed on compatible hardware you already own

  • Deployed on Numurus-provided turnkey systems

  • Run as a containerized environment for consistent, repeatable deployments

Can I use my own AI models?

Yes. NEPI is model-agnostic.

Teams can bring their own trained AI models and run them directly at the edge. NEPI manages how models connect to sensor data, how outputs are shared, and how results trigger automation or data collection.

Is NEPI free to use?

NEPI can be used for free for:

  • Education

  • Evaluation

  • Prototyping and early development

Commercial licenses apply when systems are productized or deployed operationally, allowing teams to validate ideas without upfront software costs.

How quickly can I get started?

Most users can install NEPI, connect hardware, and begin running AI models within a single day.

Documentation, tutorials, and example workflows are available to support fast onboarding.

What types of applications can be built with NEPI?

Teams commonly use NEPI to:

  • Run computer vision and perception at the edge

  • Detect conditions and trigger automated responses in real time

  • Collect high-quality, synchronized smart data

  • Rapidly prototype and deploy AI-enabled systems

NEPI is intentionally industry-agnostic and supports science, education, and commercial applications.

Who is NEPI not for?

If your goal is to build every driver, interface, and system component entirely from scratch, NEPI may not be the right tool—and that’s okay.

NEPI is designed for teams that want to move faster by building on proven, reusable infrastructure.

Where can I find documentation and tutorials?

Comprehensive resources are available at:

The Numurus team is happy to help you evaluate whether NEPI is the right fit for your application.