Microsoft Robotics

Just what is Microsoft up to? We already know that, like its founder, the software giant loves robots. They have developed Microsoft Robotics Studio, a software suite for simulating and programming a variety of robots. They are the main sponsors for RoboDevelopment, a conference on service robotics applications. They appear to be planning far ahead: look at this job offer for a mechanical engineer who will be responsible for:

• Defining hardware and component recommendations / references for next-generation mobile and dexterous manipulation PC-based robots.
• Designing and building actual next-generation robot and robot component prototypes.
• Architecting and project management of the main development tasks (including mechanical and embedded hardware design, software design, low-level control and coordination).
• Working on the necessary software implementation from a high and low-level control and application level features.
• Managing outside resources and consultants as required.
• Participating in discussions on how technologies based on the next generation platform(s) could be used by other groups at Microsoft and vice versa
• Work with selected outside vendors to help influence the direction and developments.