Who would not like a treat? Something free that's worth a thousand bucks when actually sold. Yes, and it's Microsoft Robotics giving away its RDS software to anyone... no restrictions... for FREE!
What's an RDS by the way? It's Microsoft Robotics platform for developing your own robot using its Robotics Developer Studio (RDS). The new R3 version is a Windows®-based platform for academic, enthusiasts, and industrial developers to effortlessly produce robotics applications over a huge range of hardware available. All previous versions though have been integrated into this new version, RDS 2008 R3.
Why has Microsoft done such a good act? It is actually part of Microsoft's new philosophies, that by providing such tools for free would help to ignite a reform in consumer robotics, and start a new era in robotics technology.
The New RDS R3 is a set of development tools containing a visual programming interface and a 3D simulator which, when synchronized to work together with lots of tutorials on the side, will make one to start creating his first robot as easily as possible.
Microsoft RDS includes a programming model that makes it quick to create asynchronous, state-driven applications. Microsoft RDS provides a standard, conventional programming framework that can be applied to support a huge range of robots, enabling code and skill transfer.
You can download Microsoft R3 2008 here.
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Good news for robotics enthusiasts!