[Yaaarc] Microsoft plans to enter mobile robotics market

[Keith Mc. (Route-To YAR)]

In the YAAARC list, Keith wrote:
> According to the Robo Business 2006 program, on Tue 6/20/06, at 11:15 AM 
> there will be a General Session at Robo Biz (in PA), where Microsoft
> General Manager Tandy Trower will announce Microsoft is entering 
> the mobile robot biz in some way. (The "Microsoft & Robotics" session).
> See:   http://www.robobusiness2006.com/rb2006_program_at_a_glance.htm
> [...]
> I'm assuming they will be announcing some sort of a new "Microsoft 
> branded (or spec'd) robot hardware, controlled by a Microsoft 
> graphical robot language, via a Microsoft based Smartphone".

Well, here's the official announcement:
  http://www.itworld.com/AppDev/060620msrobotics/

Microsoft is entering the robotics market with a software product
called "Microsoft Robot Studio".  From the above announcement: 
] Microsoft Corp. released the preview version of a software toolkit 
] for building robot applications on Tuesday, pledging to ignite the 
] robot market in the same way it did the PC market some 20 years ago.

Here's their site:
  http://msdn.microsoft.com/robotics/

BTW, the article also has important info for LEGO Mindstorm users:
] Microsoft has also partnered with Lego Group, which makes the 
] Mindstorms kit for building robots. The companies may hope to market 
] a combined product for the holiday shopping season, Cameron noted.

Since Microsoft is a large supporter of FIRST, and they've often put
Microsoft products in the kit before, who knows?  Next year's FIRST 
Kit of Parts might includes a copy of Microsoft Robotics Studio...

(Also BCC'd to Chelsea Robotics elist)

- Keith Mc.