The Robot App Store is a digital application distribution platform for applications for robots opened to the public on late 2011. The service allows users to browse and download applications that were developed for robots, and published through the RobotAppStore.com website.
Depending on the developer, applications are available either for free or at a cost. The applications can be downloaded directly to a robot, (like Nao) or downloaded onto a personal computer (PC) or a smartphone. 70% of the sale price goes to the developer of the app.
Dec 10 2012History
The Robot App Store opened on Aug. 28, 2011.5 for developers. In early 2012, the website was opened for consumers.
The Robot App Store is available for developers and robot-owners from around the world.6
The portal offers a centralized encyclopedia for robotics topics called Robopedia.7 A comprehensive knowledge-base8 for developers covering development lessons for popular robotics platforms such as Roomba, Parrot AR.Drone, Lego Mindstorms NXT and even robotics operating systems such as Robot Operating System (ROS).
Supported platforms
The Robot App Store supports all commercially available robots, and all operating systems available for robots. A typical application will run autonomously on the robot’s processor and internal resources. However, applications can be executed on platforms such as a laptops, desktops and smartphones.
A list of supported robots, and supported application formats:
| Robot Name | Supported apps formats |
|---|---|
| Robotis Bioloid | C++ |
| Violet KAROTZ | JavaScript, XML |
| Sony AIBO | RCODE |
| Lego Mindstorms NXT | Mindstorms Software, C++, .NET, Robot Operating System (ROS) |
| iRobot Roomba | C++, .NET, ROS, Java, Android |
| iRobot Create | C++, .NET, ROS, Java, Android |
| Aldebaran Robotics Nao | Choregraphe, C++, .NET, ROS |
| Parrot AR.Drone | C++, .NET, ROS, Java, Android |
| Orbotix Sphero | Java, Android |
| TheCorpora Q.bo | ROS |
| WowWee RS Media | WowWee Personality, C++ |
| WowWee Rovio | C++, .NET, Blackberry COD and JAD |
| Innvo Labs Pleo | Pleo Skit |
Developer program
Individuals and companies can join the developer's program and submit their applications for approval and distribution. Once joined, identity verification is required to confirm the ownership of the account.9 Approved developers are getting access to pre-launched apps.
Robopedia
On August 17, 2012, the company launched Robopedia,1011 the first encyclopedia covering robotics topics. The resource was driven by customer service requests for more information about apps that people had downloaded for their home robot projects. RobotAppStore.com's founder, Elad Inbar, said that more than 70 percent of their calls from customers were for more information. The topics cover the present and future of robots, including their components and concepts. It enables beginners and seasoned developers to learn about robotics acronyms and terminology, and read step-by-step application-development for many robots, vacuum cleaners and humanoids alike.
Funding
The company was funded by its founders since its inception. On December 10, 2012, the company announced its first external investment of $250,000 from Grishin Robotics,1213 which was founded by Dmitry Grishin, the CEO and Chairman of Mail.ru Group. The company is the second company funded by Grishin Robotics following the investment into Double Robotics earlier in 2012.14
External links
References
Wagstaff, Keith (January 4, 2012). "Robots Get Their Own App Store". Time. https://techland.time.com/2012/01/04/robots-get-their-own-app-store/ ↩
Hornyak, Tim (January 4, 2012). "Finally, an app store for robotkind". CNET.com. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57352540-1/finally-an-app-store-for-robotkind/ ↩
"The Robot App Store Will Fulfill Your Fantasy of Owning a Beer-Serving Bot". Fast Company. 17 November 2011. http://www.fastcoexist.com/1679122/the-robots-app-store-will-fulfill-your-fantasy-of-owning-a-beer-serving-bot ↩
"Developer Revenues". http://www.robotappstore.com/DevelopersProgram/Developer-Revenues/7.html ↩
"Robotics App Store Launched". Robotics Trends. 2011-08-28. http://www.roboticstrends.com/article/robotics_app_store_launched ↩
"New Apps Store for Robots Spurs Industry Creativity and Openness". Robot Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-01-27. Retrieved 2012-03-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20120127231618/http://www.robotmagazine.com/new-apps-store-for-robots-spurs-industry-creativity-and-openness/ ↩
"Robotics encyclopedia". Robopedia. http://www.robotappstore.com/Robopedia/ ↩
"Robotics Knowledge Base". http://www.robotappstore.com/Knowledge-Base ↩
"Joining Robot App Store's Developer Program". http://www.robotappstore.com/DevelopersProgram/Join-Robots-App-Store-Developer-Program/8.html ↩
"MSNBC.com - Robots get their own encyclopedia". NBC News. http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/futureoftech/robots-get-their-own-encyclopedia-950561 ↩
"Robotics encyclopedia". Robopedia. http://www.robotappstore.com/Robopedia/ ↩
Lunden, Ingrid (December 10, 2012). "RobotAppStore Raises $250K from Grishin Robotics to Take the App Distribution Model to the World of Robots". TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2012/12/10/robotappstore-raises-250k-from-grishin-robotics-to-take-the-app-distribution-model-to-the-world-of-robots/ ↩
"Mail.Ru CEO Dmitry Grishin's robotics investment firm puts $250k in RobotAppStore". 10 December 2012. https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/12/10/mail-ru-ceo-dmitry-grishins-robotics-investment-firm-puts-250k-in-robotappstore-interview/ ↩
Ackerman, Evan (21 September 2012). "Grishin Invests $250,000 in Double Robotics' Telepresence Platform". IEEE Spectrum. https://spectrum.ieee.org/grishin-invests-250000-in-double-robotics-telepresence-platform ↩