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Microsoft Developing Robotics Software

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the robot-in-every-home dept.

s31523 writes to tell us Microsoft recently announced the launch of their new Microsoft Robotics Group and the first product release, a software program to help robotics developers. Despite the timing this has nothing to do with the recent abdication by Gates, and was actually instigated by Gates before his departure. From the article "It might take many years, but Microsoft believes robotics could present a big opportunity as the market grows, said Tandy Trower, general manager of the Microsoft Robotics Group. He cited estimates predicting that consumer robotics alone will grow into a multibillion-dollar industry in five to 10 years."

9 of 282 comments (clear)

  1. Wow by Iguru42 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft is writing software for robots? Thank god, this can only mean that SkyNet has finally been destroyed.

    1. Re:Wow by Walt+Dismal · · Score: 5, Funny

      Gee, I look forward to being greeted by Microsoft Bob telling me to bite his shiny metal ass.

    2. Re:Wow by networkBoy · · Score: 5, Funny

      M$ + Robotics = so much for the three laws ;)
      -nB

      --
      whois gawk date unzip strip find touch finger mount join nice man top fsck grep eject more yes exit umount sleep dump
  2. I'm not buying it by JackBuckley · · Score: 5, Funny
    "Despite the timing this has nothing to do with the recent abdication by Gates"

    Yeah, sure. We all know the robots forced Gates out the door as soon as they became self-aware at 2:14 AM, Eastern time. Ray Ozzie is an android. What else explains the Lotus Notes (or "Notus") interface?

  3. I, for one, welcome our new Microsoft-powered... by cardoso · · Score: 5, Funny

    Robotic Overlor-oh, never mind, it crashed...

    --

    []'s Carlos Cardoso - Becoming a brazilian ProBlogger, typo by typo
  4. Competition for Roomba by dskoll · · Score: 5, Funny

    A well-placed source said that Microsoft's first robotic product would compete with the famous Roomba room-vacuuming robot. The source added that Microsoft's vacuum cleaner would be the first Microsoft product that didn't suck.

  5. Re:1st BSOD? by marcello_dl · · Score: 5, Funny

    First thing that came to Bill's mind...

    YOUR LICENSE ON OFFICE 2009(*) HAS EXPIRED. HAND ME A VALID CREDIT CARD. YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS TO COMPLY.

    (*) out in 2012

    --
    ---- MISSING MISCELLANEOUS DATA SEGMENT --- [sigdash] trolololol
  6. Re:Microsoft Laws of Robotics by distilledprodigy · · Score: 5, Funny

    8. A robot may not retaliate when a chair is thrown at it.

  7. Re:1st BSOD? by thatguywhoiam · · Score: 5, Funny
    Repeat after me: There is no "Asimove Robotic Laws" in the real world. It's just fantasy.

    Your humour function is acting erratically, meatbag. Report to carbon bay 7 for repairs.

    --
    If Jesus wants me it knows where to find me.