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Microsoft Robotics Studio

Microsoft Robotics Studio is the excuse I have been waiting for to buy a robotics kit. I am particularly tempted by the Lego NXT as I have the added excuse of playing Lego with the kids :-) It is too warm in Milano these days to stay inside and work have fun with robotics but I am looking forward to having some fun this autumn.

The Community Technical Preview comes with with samples and tutorials and can be used to develop applications on different hardware. The Microsoft Robotics Studio Simulation Engine lets you play around without having a physical robot. Microsoft Robotics Studio offers:

1. A scalable, extensible runtime architecture that can span a wide variety of hardware and devices. The programming interface can be used to address robots using 8-bit or 16-bit processors as well as 32-bit systems with multi-core processors and devices from simple touch sensors to laser distance finding devices.


2. A set of useful tools that make programming and debugging robot applications scenarios easier. These include a high quality visual simulation environment that uses the Ageia Technologies™ PhysX™ engine.


3. A set of useful technology libraries services samples to help developers get started with writing robot applications.

Thanks for the tip Michele