Microsoft launches RoboChamps competition

Hobbyists and professionals invited to simulated robotics challenge

Microsoft has launched an open robotics competition for hobbyists and students, as well as professional developers.

RoboChamps will ask entrants to develop code for six different competitions in a simulated robotics environment.

The virtual robots will compete online in a 3D environment based on Microsoft's Robotics Developer Studio package. The company released the new version of its robotics platform earlier this month.

Would-be robot programmers will be able to download a non-commercial version of the developer toolkit for free.

The robots will be pitted against each other in six competitions, including navigating a maze, exploring the surface of Mars and remotely piloting a car around a city street.

Other competitions will include Sumo wrestling, search and rescue, and the design of a new robotics competition.

Microsoft will fly the finalists to its Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles in October to compete in a final competition with real robots.