Available Robots
At this time, the SDK provides tutorials that support nine different robots—and I'm sure that number will increase with every new release. Table 1 lists the robots supported by the latest release.
Table 1: Robots currently supported by Microsoft Robotics Studio.
| Robot |
Typical Price |
Description |
| iRobot Roomba |
$149.99 and up |
Several different models are available. The best part about this robot is that it also provides a practical service and vacuums your floors. |
| LEGO Mindstorms RCX |
$119.99 |
Programmable LEGO brick that you can use to transform a LEGO model into a robot. |
| LEGO Mindstorms NXT |
$249.95 |
LEGO’s latest robot kit, featuring Bluetooth capabilities and several redesigned sensors. |
| Parallax Boe-Bot BASIC Stamp Robot |
$198.77 (for a limited time) |
A wheeled robot that features a Bluetooth module. This is a great robot for students and hobbyists. |
| Lynxmotion Lynx 6 Robotic Arm |
$388.75 |
This robotic arm features motion in the base, shoulder, elbow and wrist and also has a functional gripper. |
| fischertechnik |
$199.00 and up |
This flexible construction kit allows you to design and build your own robot. |
| Kondo KHR-1 |
$1499.00 and up |
For the serious robot lover, this fighting Japanese robot is popular in the robot wars. |
| MobileRobots Pioneer P3 DX |
Contact Sales for quote |
This general purpose wheeled robot includes a laser, arm, bumpers, and vision. |
No matter which robot you choose, you'll need a way to communicate with it. For a limited time, Parallax is
offering a discount on a bundle that allows you to program their Boe-Bot BASIC stamp robot using Bluetooth. Parallax is a true innovator in the field of robotics, striving to make robotics accessible to a wide range of people. The Boe-Bot is a great robot for people wanting to enter robotics competitions, which are rapidly gaining popularity across the United States.
The Boe-Bot kit does require you to assemble the robot, but should only take a couple of hours to do so. You can also expand the Boe-Bot to speech (using a speech board) and/or a wireless camera controlled from a connected computer. The Boe-Bot is a great robot for hobbyists or students wanting to learn more about how robots work.
I chose to test Robotics Studio using the iRobot Roomba, a programmable robotic vacuum cleaner.
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