Microsoft sets its sights on yet another market, robotics.
Since the introduction of Microsoft's Robotics Studio in December 2006, news on the robotics front has been slow to say the least, until now. The first Microsoft powered bipedal robot, the e-nuvo WALK, was demonstrated for the first time in Japan this week and is now available to order, though not expected to ship until January 2008.
The e-nuvo WALK, measuring 14" tall and weighing 5.5lbs, was demonstrated via an Xbox 360 controller no less, upon which the demonstrator was able to take the robot for a walk and play a small game of football too.
The e-nuvo WALK, pictured above, features six motors in each leg but comes complete with no head. It is currently only available to order online in Japan and will set you back ¥588,000 (£2,580).
Tandy Trower, who oversees robotics at Microsoft claims "This really isn't about Microsoft trying to create any kind of an exclusive solution. We think that this is the natural evolution of the PC technology, that PCs will start to get up from our desk and move around and interact with us in a richer way."
We're just waiting for someone to say it so we'll say it for you; there haven't been any reported BSOD occurrences yet.
Further reading
Source: Yahoo.com
ZMP official website: ZMP.com
Microsoft Robots Studio: MSDN.com
