Microsoft offers software for building robots
117820
(InfoWorld) - Microsoft released the commercial version of its software for robots on Wednesday, hoping to shape the market much as it did for PC software a few decades ago. Its Robotics Studio includes programming tools intended to make it easier to write robot applications, and a runtime environment that allows them to be used and reused on different types of hardware. The software is free for hobbyists and academic use; companies that want to use it commercially must buy a license, which starts at $399. The software is for programming all types of robots, according to Microsoft, from toys all the way up to industrial equipment. Microsoft sees the robot marketÂ as being in a similar state as the PC market in the late 1970s. The hardware for building robots, including processors and storage, has become relatively cheap, but the industry lacks accessible programming tools and a common software platform that allows applications to be reused. Windows helped solve this for PCs, providing a common platform and tools on which the industry could focus its efforts. Microsoft hopes to do something similar with Robotics Studio -- although it remains to be seen if its PC expertise will translate into the world of robots. Robotics Studio 1.0 includes a programming environment that supports the languages in Microsoft's Visual Studio toolset, including Visual Basic, as well as drag-and-drop tools for beginners. The software has a simulation environment so developers can visualize their robots before they build them, using a processing engine licensed from Ageia Technologies. It also includes some sample code and tutorials. The run-time environment supports applications written for robots with 8-bit, 16-bit or 32-bit processors, including multicore chips. The applications can run on the robot itself or on a PC. Microsoft lined up about 30 partners to support its efforts. Among them, Robotics Studio is compatible with Lego Group's popular Mindstorms robot kit and iRobot's Roomba interface. About a million "personal robots" will be sold worldwide this year, Microsoft said, citing figures from the International Federation of Robots. The number is small compared to the PC market, but the company expects it to grow quickly in the next few years. The Microsoft robotics developers' site contains more information, including a link to download Robotics Studio. The software runs on Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2. Users also need Internet Explorer 5.01 or later.
190773
Microsoft Corp. introduced software on  Monday to manage advanced mobile phones much like personal  computers, taking aim at a business dominated by Research in  Motion's BlackBerry.
736696
LEGO robots made easy Books LEGO has been taken to the next dimension with the Mindstorms NXT intelligent bricks. These brick-shaped computers allow you to program your LEGO robot using the menus provided. If you wish, more complicated programs and sound files can be downloaded using a USB port or Bluetooth.â¦
251054
Microsoft&#39;s newest offspring is called Surface, a tabletop operating system designed to turn an ordinary table into a dynamic surface that facilitates interaction with digital content through natural gestures and touch.
187864
Microsoft Corp., the world&#39;s largest software maker, and France&#39;s Dassault Systemes have forged a global, 5-year strategic alliance to deliver Dassault&#39;s 3D software to firms using the Microsoft software platform.
457636
Microsoft Corp.  on Monday  will announce the availability of software tools aimed at  encouraging independent and hobbyist video game makers to  create titles for its new Xbox 360 console.
476750
SEATTLE -- Microsoft Corp. is expanding a program to give government organizations access to some of its tightly guarded software blueprints, amid growing competition from rivals who make such source code freely available.
614127
An artificial intelligence company next month will unveil plans for a program that will help its AI software "learn" by interacting with humans in virtual worlds.
718095
Microsoft said it plans to offer tools based on Giant&#39;s technology that will help protect Windows PCs from spyware and other deceptive software.
25582
Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) has taken steps to help enterprise developers who want to test their applications against Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2).
227681
Electronic versions of the rodents' bristles could one day help bots inspect oil pipelines and explore remote locations from the deep sea to outer space.
444410
Features 'cantilevered crotch joint', potential for bot-crack in future Japanese developers have produced a robot intended for manual labouring, which they reckon will be ready to sell to the construction industry by 2010.â¦
678482
Microsoft Corp. hopes to better meet the back-office needs of smaller businesses with a new take on enterprise resource planning (ERP) software called Dynamics Entrepreneur Solution.
288871
Microsoft Corp.  unveiled plans  on Sunday to work with hardware manufacturers to deliver on the  company&#039;s ambitions to use its software to simplify how workers  communicate with one another.
184873
Stop milking same old cow Advice from Microsoft on designing useful and uncomplicated software? Now, there's a novel idea.â¦
85346
Software maker heads to LA to show off a host of gadgets that use one or another Microsoft technology to access movies, music and video.
267868
How to sell a robot for pleasure and profit Robo Developer Right now, commercial robot builders are planning to invade our homes with their mechanical creations.â¦