Robots For The System Builders

Robotics, for instance, is showing signs that it is reaching maturity, largely due to the efforts of Microsoft Corp. and ISVs. Microsoft's Robotics Studio and its relatively new partner program is a sign of what's to come for system builders.

Microsoft Robotics Studio is standardizing the way students design and fabricate robots. Robotics Studio solves many of the engineering problems found in designing robots by using a physics-simulating software. One step toward the goal of standardization has been the integration of .Net technologies with Robotics Studio.

Microsoft, Redmond, Wash., also developed a Visual Programming Language to simplify the communication layer with robotic sensors. The language and SDK are service-based so runtime code can be executed on robots or controlling PCs.

Visual programming completely abstracts all low-level interactions between sensors, microkernels and the controlling software. A commercial license for Studio is $399.95; a learning version license is also available.

Microsoft partners may be changing the way components are created as well with Robotics Studio. Barrett Technology Inc., Cambridge, Mass., and The Robotics Institute, India, are offering hardware and software components for robot makers, and schools and other vertical markets are making use of their products. Barrett sells robotic arms while The Robotics Institute specializes in general platforms.

Also in the robotics arena is Revell-Monogram LLC. The CMP Channel Test Center was impressed with the Northbrook, Ill., company's VEXplorer robot. Primarily designed for students, VExplorer comes with a wireless spycam and a versatile claw arm that can lift just about anything that weighs a pound or two. The arm is sensitive enough to pick up a blanket—or even a can of beer.