Welcome to the Community Technical Preview of Microsoft Robotics Studio (1.5)

A Letter from Tandy Trower, General Manager, Microsoft Robotics Group

Here we are again. Following close on the heels of our December 1.0 release, we have continued to look for improvements and features to deliver. That includes some great on-demand video tutorials on our website that provide an introduction to Microsoft Robotics Studio straight from the people who have contributed to those components. We then followed that up with the first preview of our new robot soccer simulation competition that will be featured at RoboCup 2007 in Atlanta.

And that was just the start because with this post, I am pleased to announce the release of the first Community Technical Preview (CTP) of Microsoft Robotics Studio 1.5. This release builds on the official 1.0 release adding a number of new features. However, as a preview, its license only permits non-commercial use.

Also this release should not be installed over the 1.0 release (default settings will automatically propose a different installation directory from 1.0). Be sure to check the documentation for how to use the DssProjectMigration.exe tool to adapt your existing projects to this new preview.

Support for Windows CE and Windows Mobile devices – This release enables you to compile and deploy service code to run directly on CE operating system using the .NET Compact Framework 2.0. This includes platforms running Pocket PC 2003, Windows Mobile 5.0 and 6.0, Windows CE 5.0, and Windows CE 6.0.

Performance and UI improvements for Microsoft Visual Programming Language – Load time has been significantly improved and we’ve enhanced parts of the user interface.

Printing support is also included for your diagrams. Note that this version loads v 1.0 project files so that you don’t have to recreate them.

Performance and editor improvements for Microsoft Visual Simulation Environment – While the effective performance will vary depending on your graphics card, in some cases frame rate may be 2 to 3 times faster. You can also directly select entities using the right mouse button. There is also a new light source entity that enables you to change its type, direction, color, and position. Also included is a new iRobot® Create™ model and simulation services.

New iRobot Create services, simple color tracking service, and IP camera service – In addition to tuning up the Roomba® BlueTooth® connected services; there are also BlueTooth services for the new iRobot Create. To support simple vision operation, we’ve added a simple color tracking service. And there’s support for IP cameras in addition to webcams. We’ve also enhanced the DSS Deploy utility to easily support add-on packages.

Updated Soccer Simulation preview and NEW Robot Sumo simulation preview – We are also releasing an update to our Soccer Simulation (posted last month) and adding a new Robot Sumo simulation that uses this utility. The updated preview for the soccer simulation features the ability for you to substitute your own simulated robot players.

The new Robot Sumo simulation enables you to program your own virtual competition. The simulated sumo robot emulates an actual robot configuration using an iRobot Create, ICOP Ebox 2300, and Logitech webcam that will be featured at this year’s Mobile Embedded Developers Conference. Attendees will have an opportunity to use their simulation code to try and qualify for running their code on the real hardware.

Even if you can’t make to make to this event, we will be posting the specifications of this configuration so that you can assemble your own Sumo Robot.

More still coming – This is just our first preview of 1.5. Check back again for the next which will include even more enhancements and improvements.

Also try out our new forums. They’ve been segmented into popular topic areas so you can post questions and track answers to things you are most interested in.

Please keep the feedback coming in and sharing with others and us the creative things you are doing with Microsoft Robotics Studio.

Tandy Trower
General Manager, Microsoft Robotics Group
Microsoft Corporation

Tandy Trower has a 25 year history with new products and technology initiatives at Microsoft bringing to market new products as diverse as Microsoft Flight Simulator to Microsoft Windows. In addition, as a strong proponent of the importance of design in human-computer interaction he has contributed to the company’s investment in improving its user interfaces, founding the company’s first usability labs and product design roles. He continues to investigate and drive strategic new technology directions for the company and incubating new projects.