This year's competition features a new robot architecture based on an off-the-shelf robotics platform coupled to a single-board computer running Windows CE 6.0, Microsoft Windows Embedded product manager Mike Hall reports.

(Click here for larger image)

The sumo robots are to be based on the iRobot Create platform from the same company that makes the Roomba vacuuming robot. An ICOP eBox 2300 running Windows CE 6.0 provides the sumo robot's on-board intelligence.

Prospective competitors will write their "search and destroy" code for controlling the robots using the sumo simulation facilities in the recently released Community Technology Preview 1.5 (CTP) of Robotics Studio. The best simulations will qualify to qualify to run on real hardware.

Robotics Studio CTP 1.5

According to Tandy Trower, general manager of Microsoft's Robotics Group, Robotics Studio CTP 1.5 includes a number of enhancements in addition to the sumo simulator. The Studio supports running robots using Windows CE and the .NET Compact Framework, which includes platforms running Pocket PC 2003, Windows Mobile 5.0 and 6.0, Windows CE 5.0, and Windows CE 6.0.


Visual programming with Robotics Studio
(Click for larger view; Source: Microsoft)
Additionally, the user interface for visual programming languages has been improved with faster load times and operational enhancements, Trower said.

Robotics Studio CTP 1.5 is downloadable here. The sumo simulation is a separate download, available here.

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