Improve Everyday Life
Engineers and scientists worldwide are using National Instruments software and hardware to improve the lives of those around them. In addition to addressing the key social issues highlighted in the Grand Challenges for Engineering, NI products are used in all areas of innovation, from developing test systems for cutting-edge space exploration vehicles to building complex 3D video display systems.
To continue to ensure the success of its customers, NI is committed to investing aggressively in R&D. NI leads the industry in R&D investment, including percentage of revenue invested back into R&D and percentage of overall employee headcount that works in R&D. NI invests at least 16 percent of total revenue in R&D each year regardless of the economic climate. This reflects both the company’s long-term focus and its commitment to support the work its customers are doing.
Year in Review
2011 Highlights
35,000+ companies used NI tools to accelerate innovation and discovery in 2011
>16% of total revenue was reinvested in R&D to further empower engineers and scientists to develop world-improving technologies
2011 Challenges
NI has traditionally produced broad-based tools that can be used for many different applications, but as the company becomes more involved with customers in specific industries, more customization is expected
2012 Commitments
Continue to invest at least 16 percent of revenue in R&D
Facilitate industry collaboration by bringing together engineers, business leaders, and government officials through events such as the NIWeek summits and the Big Physics Symposium
2011 Data and Results
Engineers in Belgium built a therapeutic endoscopy teleoperation robot to remove digestive tumors.
Sharon L. Wood
Department chair and professor at The University of Texas at Austin Department of Architectural and Environmental Engineering.
Professor Sharon Wood has been working closely with NI since 2009. Her department is conducting a five-year research project to develop a system for economical, long-term bridge monitoring. Initial research conducted in 2009 showed that the NI wireless sensor network (WSN) platform could offer reliable wireless sensor networking and provide insight on optimal antenna placement and configuration. In 2010, NI and UT completed the first prototype of a new wireless sensor node for structural health monitoring (SHM) as part of continued research and development to produce a reliable, low-power strain measurement system. Implementation of a new wireless, real-time bridge monitoring system based on these technologies has the potential to transform bridge inspection and maintenance practices for a safer infrastructure.