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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."

6 of 282 comments (clear)

  1. He's not gone yet... by SkiddyRowe · · Score: 3, Informative

    Last I checked, Gates won't be gone for another 2 years. It's a little pre-mature to say 'before his departure'...

  2. Link to the CTP by everphilski · · Score: 3, Informative

    get it here

  3. Re:1st BSOD? by doti · · Score: 2, Informative

    Repeat after me: There is no "Asimove Robotic Laws" in the real world. It's just fantasy.

    Autonomous robots are controled by computer programs, and will behave as such.
    One can program it with security features, but it's just like any other software. There's no magic laws to control their behaviour.

    --
    factor 966971: 966971
  4. Re:Crazy tangent? by feijai · · Score: 4, Informative
    Every robotic system I've ever worked with was controlled by software running on Windows (or DOS).

    I'm a roboticist and I have to take issue with this sample bias. Robot controllers in industry are by and large run on custom operating systems such as VXWorks, WindRiver, etc. Robot packages in academia, particularly of the mobile robot ilk, usally run on many operating systems but tend to be weighted toward UNIX platforms (ARIA, Player/Stage, etc.). Many new small robot controllers (RoboStix, for example) are heavily targeted to UNIX.

  5. Re:Real time Windows? by TERdON · · Score: 2, Informative

    bomb robots, underwater robots, probably more similar examples from where they come from. From the point of view of robotics, they aren't really robots at all (definition of "robot" in robotics: it has to be autonomous, even if that means only by following a prepared program).

    Basically, they aren't even automated devices, they are really only cool remote controlled toys. :)

    However, the question still holds if we're just phrasing it appropiately: Links to robots that are MORE sophisticated than mere automation, please. :)

    --
    I have a really elegant proof for Fermat's last theorem. If this sig was only a bit longer...
  6. WindowsCE is a RTOS... not just a marketing ploy. by everphilski · · Score: 2, Informative

    CE does real-time. Not just a marketing ploy. As the AC said (but most people probably won't read) CE is based on a completely **different** kernel than the NT line. Check out windows Embedded which beats RTOS to a living pulp.