Microsoft working on simulated Robot Soccer Challenge

In its efforts to market their relatively recent Robotics Studio, Microsoft has developed a soccer simulator in hopes that it can be used in RoboCup 2007. Microsoft Robotics Studio uses the AGEIA PhysX Technology to create simulated but realistic environments for robotics research while making it easy to port the resulting controller to a real robot. Bill Gates recently wrote an article for Scientific American providing a brief overview of robotics history while making sure to promote their new product.

A couple of days ago, Microsoft announced their intention to sponsor a competitive demonstration of their physics-based 3D engine applied to robot soccer in RoboCup 2007. Currently, there is an open call for participants and interested parties can find information at the U.S. RoboCup website.

It is expected that initially teams will work with an early version of the simulator that only supports wheeled robots; this should give developers a chance to become familiar with the software and also work on team strategy. Microsoft has promised to develop support for legged robots by May.

Finally, Microsoft is not limiting itself to just simulation. They hope that in the future they will be able to work closely with robot manufacturers to develop real soccer playing robots with software development centered on the Microsoft Robotics Studio.

It is clear that Microsoft is really serious about making an impact in robotics over the next few years. They have already gained support from a number of robot manufacturers including Kuka, iRobot, SRI International, Lego Systems, Yujin Robotics, Coroware, Parallax, Robosoft etc. I suspect that they will continue to gather support both from the industry but also from academia and even hobby roboticists on the virtue that their software is free and well supported and documented. The Microsoft Robotics Studio has numerous tutorials for beginner and advanced users not to mention 10 hours of video tutorials.