RSSMicrosoft Previews Windows for Robots
By Ed Oswald | Published June 20, 2006, 4:07 PM
Microsoft released a preview of a new Windows-based platform Tuesday that would allow for the easy development of robotics applications in academic, hobbyist and commercial environments. Called the Microsoft Robotics Studio, the technology was showcased at a robotics conference in Pittsburgh.
The company says that it sees great potential in robotics, thus it began work to provide an easier method of creating new robotic applications. The Robotics Studio is a result of that work. With improvements in processors and lower-cost sensors, development in robotics is expected to soar.
One of Microsoft's first partners in the field is Lego, whose Mindstorms NXT products will be able to take advantage of the new platform. With Robotics Studio, Lego robots would be able to perform more advanced functions.
Microsoft says it is thrilled by the initial response to its work. "We've reached out to a broad range of leading robotics companies and academics early on in the development process and are thrilled with the positive response from the community," Microsoft Robotics general manager Tandy Trower said.
Key features of the platform include an end-to-end development platform, including features that would allow for simulations of robotic applications through the licensing of the PhysX engine from Ageia.
Additionally, developers can access the sensors of a robot via a Web browser, and the lightweight nature of the platform would allow for easy development. Built to be scalable and extensible, the Microsoft Robotics platform would be able to be customized to the user's liking, Microsoft said.
JupiterResearch senior analyst and Microsoft pundit Joe Wilcox says that Microsoft needs to be thinking bigger, and criticized the Windows-centric basis for the platform.
"Microsoft has been here before with its automatons of the 1990s, the mechanical Barney and Arthur. Robotics Studio, ah, extends what Microsoft already created in the past," Wilcox argued. "Whether robotic toys or tools, there is opportunity in making operating systems and development tools. It's just too bad that, like other Microsoft stuff, to get there you've got to go the Windows way or the highway."
A Community Technology Preview of the Microsoft Robotics software along with further documentation is available from the MSDN Web site.
Can you create hyperlinks?
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This is an extension to Visual Studio to target robotics/physics programming. Not any more Windows-centric than any other MS development. Can't imagine microsoft would suddenly release a robotics programming platform that plugged into Eclipse, so a plugin for Visual studio is surely next best thing? At least MS are investing time and money in the idea. Now unleash the 'modified' robot lawnmowers and await your doom!
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Uh Oh! Another “Windows-centric” product, somebody better tell Microsoft's Interoperability Committee, when they meet again, 6 months from now, I am sure they will be serious.
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"Microsoft Previews Windows for Robots"
You mean they _finally_ realized their customers werent robots??? :P (aka: they find their real consumer target niche)
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I sure can't wait for the day when betanews has a story on MS where Mr. Wilcox is not quoted.
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Hey no one made the mobile windows joke yet. C'mon, what's holding you back. The first truly mobile version of windows? Come on, that's funny. Geeze.
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Windows Mobile 5.0 is out. You *might* be able to install that. :D
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Man oh man, do I love Lego.
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Dic k Jones: "I had a guaranteed military sale with ED209! Renovation program! Spare parts for 25 years! Who cares if it worked or not!"
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I'd hate to see a User Error on these things.
Error in User.EXE.
User must be terminated.
"No Sir, we didn't know it could pull the laser out of it's optical drive and use it to incinerate it's owners..."
Ouch.
Of course, they'll just upgrade User.Exe to World.Exe...
/sarcasm
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LOL
That would be one heavy-duty optical drive to have a laser like that.
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It isn't the strength that matters, just how many times it hits you over the head with it.
(Did I leave that part out? It was a *big* optical Drive...)
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Good god we're all going to die. If the robot overlords should show up soon, I only ask for a quick robotic blow to the head that doesn't BSOD halfway through.
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OT:
I can't wait until the computerized vehicles get access to the net. Your hybrid 70MPG greenmobile suddenly can't get above 30 MPH, you're getting 10MPG, and the Head Unit keeps telling you how to 3n14rg3 j00r 0rg4n.
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Well this only happens because it automaticly downloaded and installed the latest updates.
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