We've reported Microsoft's attempts to proprietize the robotics market in the past, including the defunct .net CPU module for robots. Last year, we reported on the first rumors of their latest attempt. Today at the 2006 RoboBusiness Conference and Exposition, Microsoft revealed the details of their new campaign. Their plan is to offer a proprietary robotics package called Robotics Studio to users at no charge (initially), tempting them to switch away from the Open Source and Free Software tools that dominate the market. They've created several tools including a proprietary robot simulator and control package which sounds similar to the popular Free Software package Player/Stage. Their development tools are designed to lock the user into Microsoft's .NET programming languages (e.g. JScript, C#, Visual Basic) and MS Windows XP. For more details on the system architecture, see the programming model document and Robotics Studio Runtime introduction. A technical preview of their tools can be found in a new Robot Magazine article. Still want more? Try the Seattle PI article or the ZD Net article.

For those who may be curious about what rights you're signing away by downloading and using this new MS software, I've reproduced the full text of the EULA below. This license is not available on their website and can only be seen once you've downloaded the 25MB file and started the install. I extracted the files on a Linux box under Wine.

MICROSOFT PRE-RELEASE SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS
MICROSOFT ROBOTICS STUDIO DEVELOPMENT KIT (SDK) VERSION 1.0

 These license terms are an agreement between Microsoft Corporation (or
based on where you live, one of its affiliates) and you.  Please read
them.  They apply to the pre-release software named above, which
includes the media on which you received it, if any.  The terms also
apply to any Microsoft
       updates,
       supplements,
       documentation,
       Internet-based services, and 
       support services
for this software, unless other terms accompany those items.  If so,
those terms apply.
BY USING THE SOFTWARE, YOU ACCEPT THESE TERMS.  IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT
THEM, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE.
If you comply with these license terms, you have the rights below.
1.      INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
       One (1) individual user may install one copy of the software on a
personal computer and may install and up to five (5) copies of the
software runtime files ("Runtime Files") on robot-based devices on your
premises, to design, develop and test your programs for use with the
software.
       You may not test the software in a live operating environment
unless Microsoft permits you to do so under another agreement.
       For purposes of this license grant, the software will include the
prior versions of the software, provided, however, that any terms and
conditions for use that were included with such prior version(s) shall
not apply and are replaced with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and this Agreement, and such prior versions may be used for
the sole purpose of transitioning from the previous version to the
version of software with which this Agreement is provided.
       Third Party Programs.  The software may contain third party
programs.  The license terms, if any,  with those programs apply to your
use of them.
2.      RIGHT TO USE.  
       Runtime Files.  Runtime Files are only those defined in the
included file RUNTIME.TXT.  Runtime Files may only be used in object
code form for internal use on your premises. 
       Sample Code.  You may use or modify the source code form of the
code included in the Samples directory, but only for internal use on
your own premises.  Sample Code or derivative works may not be
distributed or used in a live operating environment. 
3.      TERM.  This Agreement shall terminate the earlier of October 15,
2006, or commercial release of the software, whichever is first, unless
terminated by Microsoft in writing at any time, with or without cause. 
Upon termination, You shall cease use of the software.  
4.      PRE-RELEASE SOFTWARE.  This software is a pre-release version. 
It may not work the way a final version of the software will.  You
acknowledge and agree that that you are fully aware of and accept the
risk for any and all damages that may result due to failure of the
software.  We may change it for the final, commercial version.  We also
may not release a commercial version.
5.      FEEDBACK.  If you give feedback about the software to Microsoft,
you give to Microsoft, without charge, the right to use, share and
commercialize your feedback in any way and for any purpose.  You also
give to third parties, without charge, any patent rights needed for
their products, technologies and services to use or interface with any
specific parts of a Microsoft software or service that includes the
feedback.  You will not give feedback that is subject to a license that
requires Microsoft to license its software or documentation to third
parties because we include your feedback in them.  These rights survive
this agreement.
6.      Scope of License.  The software is licensed, not sold. This
agreement only gives you some rights to use the software.  Microsoft
reserves all other rights.  Unless applicable law gives you more rights
despite this limitation, you may use the software only as expressly
permitted in this agreement.  In doing so, you must comply with any
technical limitations in the software that only allow you to use it in
certain ways.    You may not
       disclose the results of any benchmark tests of the software to
any third party without Microsoft's prior written approval;
       reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the software, except
and only to the extent that applicable law expressly permits, despite
this limitation;
       make more copies of the software than specified in this agreement
or allowed by applicable law, despite this limitation;
       publish the software for others to copy;
       rent, lease or lend the software;
       transfer the software or this agreement to any third party; or
       use the software for commercial software hosting services.
7.      Export Restrictions.  The software is subject to United States
export laws and regulations.  You must comply with all domestic and
international export laws and regulations that apply to the software. 
These laws include restrictions on destinations, end users and end use.
 For additional information, see .
8.      SUPPORT SERVICES. Because this software is "as is," we may not
provide support services for it.
9.      Entire Agreement.  This agreement, and the terms for
supplements, updates, Internet-based services and support services that
you use, are the entire agreement for the software and support services.
10.     Applicable Law.
a.      United States.  If you acquired the software in the United
States, Washington state law governs the interpretation of this
agreement and applies to claims for breach of it, regardless of conflict
of laws principles.  The laws of the state where you live govern all
other claims, including claims under state consumer protection laws,
unfair competition laws, and in tort.
b.      Outside the United States.  If you acquired the software in any
other country, the laws of that country apply.
11.     Legal Effect.  This agreement describes certain legal rights. 
You may have other rights under the laws of your country.  You may also
have rights with respect to the party from whom you acquired the
software.  This agreement does not change your rights under the laws of
your country if the laws of your country do not permit it to do so.
12.     Disclaimer of Warranty.   The software is licensed "as-is."  You
bear the risk of using it.  Microsoft AND ITS SUPPLIERS PROVIDE no
express warranties, guarantees or conditions.  You may have additional
consumer rights under your local laws which this agreement cannot
change.  To the extent permitted under your local laws, Microsoft AND
ITS SUPPLIERS exclude the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness
for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
13. Limitation on and Exclusion of Remedies and Damages.  You can
recover from Microsoft and its suppliers only direct damages up to U.S.
$5.00.  You cannot recover any other damages, including consequential,
lost profits, special, indirect or incidental damages.
This limitation applies to
       anything related to the software, services, content (including
code) on third party Internet sites, or third party programs; and
       claims for breach of contract, breach of warranty, guarantee or
condition, strict liability, negligence, or other tort to the extent
permitted by applicable law.
It also applies even if Microsoft knew or should have known about the
possibility of the damages.  The above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you because your country may not allow the exclusion or
limitation of incidental, consequential or other damages.
MICROSOFT PRE-RELEASE SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS
MICROSOFT ROBOTICS STUDIO DEVELOPMENT KIT (SDK) VERSION 1.0
These license terms are an agreement between Microsoft Corporation (or
based on where you live, one of its affiliates) and you.  Please read
them.  They apply to the pre-release software named above, which
includes the media on which you received it, if any.  The terms also
apply to any Microsoft
       updates,
       supplements,
       documentation,
       Internet-based services, and 
       support services
for this software, unless other terms accompany those items.  If so,
those terms apply.
BY USING THE SOFTWARE, YOU ACCEPT THESE TERMS.  IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT
THEM, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE.
If you comply with these license terms, you have the rights below.
1.      INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.  
       One (1) individual user may install one copy of the software on a
personal computer and may install and up to five (5) copies of the
software runtime files ("Runtime Files") on robot-based devices on your
premises, to design, develop and test your programs for use with the
software.  
       You may not test the software in a live operating environment
unless Microsoft permits you to do so under another agreement.
       For purposes of this license grant, the software will include the
prior versions of the software, provided, however, that any terms and
conditions for use that were included with such prior version(s) shall
not apply and are replaced with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and this Agreement, and such prior versions may be used for
the sole purpose of transitioning from the previous version to the
version of software with which this Agreement is provided.
       Third Party Programs.  The software may contain third party
programs.  The license terms, if any,  with those programs apply to your
use of them.
2.      RIGHT TO USE.  
       Runtime Files.  Runtime Files are only those defined in the
included file RUNTIME.TXT.  Runtime Files may only be used in object
code form for internal use on your premises. 
       Sample Code.  You may use or modify the source code form of the
code included in the Samples directory, but only for internal use on
your own premises.  Sample Code or derivative works may not be
distributed or used in a live operating environment. 
3.      TERM.  This Agreement shall terminate the earlier of October 15,
2006, or commercial release of the software, whichever is first, unless
terminated by Microsoft in writing at any time, with or without cause. 
Upon termination, You shall cease use of the software.  
4.      PRE-RELEASE SOFTWARE.  This software is a pre-release version. 
It may not work the way a final version of the software will.  You
acknowledge and agree that that you are fully aware of and accept the
risk for any and all damages that may result due to failure of the
software.  We may change it for the final, commercial version.  We also
may not release a commercial version.
5.      FEEDBACK.  If you give feedback about the software to Microsoft,
you give to Microsoft, without charge, the right to use, share and
commercialize your feedback in any way and for any purpose.  You also
give to third parties, without charge, any patent rights needed for
their products, technologies and services to use or interface with any
specific parts of a Microsoft software or service that includes the
feedback.  You will not give feedback that is subject to a license that
requires Microsoft to license its software or documentation to third
parties because we include your feedback in them.  These rights survive
this agreement.
6.      Scope of License.  The software is licensed, not sold. This
agreement only gives you some rights to use the software.  Microsoft
reserves all other rights.  Unless applicable law gives you more rights
despite this limitation, you may use the software only as expressly
permitted in this agreement.  In doing so, you must comply with any
technical limitations in the software that only allow you to use it in
certain ways.    You may not
       disclose the results of any benchmark tests of the software to
any third party without Microsoft's prior written approval;
       reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the software, except
and only to the extent that applicable law expressly permits, despite
this limitation;
       make more copies of the software than specified in this agreement
or allowed by applicable law, despite this limitation;
       publish the software for others to copy;
       rent, lease or lend the software;
       transfer the software or this agreement to any third party; or
       use the software for commercial software hosting services.
7.      Export Restrictions.  The software is subject to United States
export laws and regulations.  You must comply with all domestic and
international export laws and regulations that apply to the software. 
These laws include restrictions on destinations, end users and end use.
 For additional information, see .
8.      SUPPORT SERVICES. Because this software is "as is," we may not
provide support services for it.
9.      Entire Agreement.  This agreement, and the terms for
supplements, updates, Internet-based services and support services that
you use, are the entire agreement for the software and support services.
10.     Applicable Law.
a.      United States.  If you acquired the software in the United
States, Washington state law governs the interpretation of this
agreement and applies to claims for breach of it, regardless of conflict
of laws principles.  The laws of the state where you live govern all
other claims, including claims under state consumer protection laws,
unfair competition laws, and in tort.
b.      Outside the United States.  If you acquired the software in any
other country, the laws of that country apply.
11.     Legal Effect.  This agreement describes certain legal rights. 
You may have other rights under the laws of your country.  You may also
have rights with respect to the party from whom you acquired the
software.  This agreement does not change your rights under the laws of
your country if the laws of your country do not permit it to do so.
12.     Disclaimer of Warranty.   The software is licensed  eas-is.† You
bear the risk of using it.  Microsoft AND ITS SUPPLIERS PROVIDE no
express warranties, guarantees or conditions.  You may have additional
consumer rights under your local laws which this agreement cannot
change.  To the extent permitted under your local laws, Microsoft AND
ITS SUPPLIERS exclude the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness
for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
13. Limitation on and Exclusion of Remedies and Damages.  You can
recover from Microsoft and its suppliers only direct damages up to U.S.
$5.00.  You cannot recover any other damages, including consequential,
lost profits, special, indirect or incidental damages.
This limitation applies to
       anything related to the software, services, content (including
code) on third party Internet sites, or third party programs; and
       claims for breach of contract, breach of warranty, guarantee or
condition, strict liability, negligence, or other tort to the extent
permitted by applicable law.
It also applies even if Microsoft knew or should have known about the
possibility of the damages.  The above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you because your country may not allow the exclusion or
limitation of incidental, consequential or other damages.