We've seen plenty of interesting projects roll out of Microsoft's Robotics Studio, but the Robotics Developer Studio package of programming and design tools has not been the smash success that the company had hoped. In a move to expand its user base and drum up grass roots support, the company has done something that might have once been unthinkable: As of today, they're giving away the store, making the RDS available as a free download from the company's website. "We decided to take out all of the barriers that today our users might have in order to help them build these new technologies," Stathis Papaefstathiou, the head of the robotics studio, told IEEE Spectrum. Finally, a little help for the DIY robotics enthusiasts out there! Hit the source link to get started.

It looks like France's Robosoft is keen on getting its robots into as many places as possible, with it now following up its RobuCab and RobuDog with a service robot designed to help the elderly and disabled. Like the RobuDog, this one makes heavy use of Microsoft Robotics Studio, and provides just about all the features you'd expect from a 24-hour monitoring bot, including daily reminders, remote teleconferencing abilities, scaring off of house pets, and alerts if the patient falls or is in trouble. The company apparently even hopes to add cleaning capabilities to the mix, although there's no indication as to when the robot will actually be put into service. Head on past the break for a glimpse of it in action.

It's taken a little while, but it seems that the first robot based on Microsoft's Robotics Studio package is now available for sale, although it's far from a consumer bot. Running a hefty $5,345, the so-called "e-nuvo WALK" robot from Japan's ZMP (makers of the e-nuvo WHEEL, as well) measures 14 inches tall and is apparently intended primarily for research and education although, as you can see above, it also seems to be a strong candidate for the next RoboCup. According to the AP, those in Japan can place their orders for the robot now, but they'll have to wait until sometime in January before they actually gets their hands on one.