Microsoft launches Microsoft Robotics Studio (MRS)

Microsft enters robotics industry with Microsoft Robotics Studio, a suite of easy programming tools to create robotics applications.

Microsoft is all set to enter the field of robotics with its first robotics software. The software giant hopes to repeat its success with PCs just in robotics field too. Microsoft has created the Microsoft Robotics Studio, where developers can create applications for a range of products.

Microsoft Robotics Studio is a software toolkit from Microsoft and is entirely Windows based. Using this kit, programmers can create applications for specific applications in robotics. More details about the kit are given at the Microsoft web-site.

With the Microsoft Robiotics Studio, the copany hopes to create a standard for the robotics industry. Of course, it is very hard to see the robotics industry welcoming anything from Microsoft, going by the past experiences of similar industries. In fact, one robotics industry expert has slready called it a nice academic exercise.

Microsoft Robotics Studio includes ready made programming tools for creating robotics applications, and the capability to enable robots interact with users through Windows or web-based interfaces. 

Richard Leepack, founder of Frontline Robotics, said that "developers can take MRS) and run with it to create robots that are an extension of our eyes and ears.

Microsoft had earlier tried its hand in robotics with iRobot , which is a commercial maker of smart-floor cleaners. Microsoft has also selected some partners to boost its presence in the robotics field. Some of the partners are CMU, Lego, CoroWare, KUKA Robot Group, Robosoft and MobileRobots. 

Tandy Trower, general manager, Microsoft Robotics Group says, "We think robotics is poised to take off rapidly, and there are indications that this is true. With component hardware costs coming down and computational capabilities increasing, the robotics industry appears to have the right conditions to really grow quickly.”

Mainly three areas of software are covered in Microsoft Robotics Studio. It offers a scaleabe architecture that covers a range of hardware and devices. Using -bit or 16-bit processors as well as 32-bit systems with multi-core processors and devices ranging from simple touch sensors to laser-distance-finding devices, the programming interface of the Robotics Studio can be used to address robots. The studio also includes a set of tools to make programming and debugging a lot more easier. The studio also contains a set of technology library services samples to help developers write robotic applications.

Microsoft set to issue a dozen software patches

Microsoft releases Antigen email server antidote

Windows Vista may eat your laptop batteries away

Windows flaw may hack applications, start Denial of service attack

Microsoft, Adobe clash over PDF format usage in Office 2007

Microsoft, NTT DoCoMo and Toshiba to develop iPod rival

Microsoft to release Visual System Team Edition for the Database Professional

Windows Live Onecare from Microsoft

Microsoft releases Wireless Desktop for Mac and mouse

MS Office Ultimate edition coming

Microsoft launches Vista test version Beta 2