Microsoft Uses PhysX Engine

[MurphNutz]

I was checking out Microsoft's new Robotics Studio and something caught my eye:

The Microsoft Robotics Studio delivers three areas of software:

1. A scalable, extensible runtime architecture that can span a wide variety of hardware and devices. The programming interface can be used to address robots using 8-bit or 16-bit processors as well as 32-bit systems with multi-core processors and devices from simple touch sensors to laser distance finding devices.
2. A set of useful tools that make programming and debugging robot applications scenarios easier. These include a high quality visual simulation environment that uses the Ageia Technologies™ PhysX™ engine.
3. A set of useful technology libraries services samples to help developers get started with writing robot applications.

I wonder how much faster it runs with a PhysX card.

 

[vidor]

OHH NO, microsoft is supporting Ageia, havok is gonna go out of business!

Nice try havok+ATI solution, but looks like you lose!

/sarcasm

 

[Terra]

What...no HavokFX support?

Terra - .oO(Wonder why.......NOT! )

 

[No_flaming_my_butt]

hmmm...thats quite interesting. why would a huge corp like microsoft use such a relatively unused software? must be something to it that nobody's realizing....

 

[psychoace]

It was free and usually free pushes aside the best if it can do atleast the minimal.

 

[Ockie]

hmmm...thats quite interesting. why would a huge corp like microsoft use such a relatively unused software? must be something to it that nobody's realizing....

It's called catering to the one who feeds you the most.... ATI and Nvidias checks must have gotten lost in the mail...

 

[MrNasty]

It was free and usually free pushes aside the best if it can do atleast the minimal.

Actually in terms of actual features PhysX has more in SW mode than Havok does. Ageia's got SW fluids going in 2.5 apparently - something Havok's always said isn't feasible.

 

[HighTest]

It's true, all of it! Here's the offical posting:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/jun06/06-20MSRoboticsStudioPR.mspx

Notice this tasty quote from the release:

Developers can also simulate robotic applications using realistic 3-D models; Microsoft has licensed the PhysX™ engine from AGEIA™, a pioneer in hardware-accelerated physics, enabling real-world physics simulations with robot models. The PhysX simulations can also be accelerated using AGEIA hardware.

Right there you see robotics enthusiasts rushing out for the Aegia PPU. This way they can simulate and then develop their beast for the next "BattleBots" or "Robot Wars" or similar venue.

 

[$BangforThe$]

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=32439

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=32558