Software Lets Robot Fans Build Their Own R2-D2

Microsoft on Wednesday previewed software designed to make it easier for hobbyists to build their own version of Star Wars' R2-D2 or Robot B9 -- the Lost In Space automaton that frequently warned Will Robinson of "danger, danger!"

Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 can also be used by academics and commercial developers to create robots for industrial or scientific uses, Microsoft said.

The Windows-based software lets users create and debug robotic routines for a variety of hardware platforms through a drag-and-drop interface that uses the Visual Programming Language (VPL). A simulation module offers a virtual, 3-D preview of their robot's real-world behavior.

Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 includes a number of enhancements over previous versions of the software, which have seen more than 200,000 downloads, Microsoft said.

Increased runtime performance provides improvements of between 150% and 300% in message throughput between pre-programmed services.

There's also improved support for distributed language integrated queries (LINQ), which reduces network utilization and simplifies service authoring. A new tool gives users the ability to define computational domains within VPL.

Microsoft Robotics Group general manager Tandy Tower said in a statement the software is meant to help his company cash in on "the emerging new markets for robotics."

Among the commercial users of Microsoft's robotics software is Aldebaran Robotics. The Paris-based company is developing what it calls the world's first "domestic service robot." Aldebaran's robot, named Nao, features a humanoid shape, speech recognition, a speech synthesizer and a face that displays emotions.

Aldebaran says Nao is still a few years away from commercial release.

Microsoft said a final version of Robotics Developer Studio 2008 will be available later this year as a free download for non-commercial users.