In 2006, Microsoft founder Bill Gates wrote a feature for Scientific American titled, “A Robot in Every Home.” In the same year, Microsoft founded its robotics unit and released the Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio (RDS). Microsoft’s entry into the robotics industry was considered a major move from a very major player. But over the past four years, despite active marketing and evangelism from the unit’s leaders, RDS has failed to achieve widespread adoption. A new minor release, announced May 20, seeks to revitalize the user community, and ongoing work with RDS in nonrobotics fields is highlighting the product’s utility in new markets. However, Microsoft faces strong competition from newcomers to the “robot framework” market. For Microsoft to remain a force in the robotics industry, innovation and creativity will be required.