The Robot App Store is a digital

application Application may refer to: Mathematics and computing * Application software, computer software designed to help the user to perform specific tasks ** Application layer, an abstraction layer that specifies protocols and interface methods used in a c ...

distribution Distribution may refer to: Mathematics * Distribution (mathematics), generalized functions used to formulate solutions of partial differential equations *Probability distribution, the probability of a particular value or value range of a vari ...

platform for applications for

robot A robot is a machine—especially one programmable by a computer—capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically. A robot can be guided by an external control device, or the control may be embedded within. Robots may be ...

s 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 A personal computer (PC) is a multi-purpose microcomputer whose size, capabilities, and price make it feasible for individual use. Personal computers are intended to be operated directly by an end user, rather than by a computer expert or te ...

(PC) or a

smartphone A smartphone is a portable computer device that combines mobile telephone and computing functions into one unit. They are distinguished from feature phones by their stronger hardware capabilities and extensive mobile operating systems, whi ...

. 70% of the sale price goes to the developer of the app.

History

The Robot App Store opened on Aug. 28, 2011. 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. The portal offers a centralized encyclopedia for robotics topics called Robopedia. A comprehensive knowledge-base for developers covering development lessons for popular robotics platforms such as

Roomba Roomba is a series of autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners made by the company iRobot. Introduced in September 2002, they have a set of sensors that enable them to navigate the floor area of a home. These sensors can detect the presence of ob ...

, AR.Drone,

LEGO NXT Lego Mindstorms NXT is a programmable robotics kit released by Lego on August 2, 2006. It replaced the first-generation Lego Mindstorms kit, which was called the Robotics Invention System. The base kit ships in two versions: the Retail Versio ...

and even robotics operating systems such as 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

’s processor and internal resources. However, applications can be executed on platforms such as a

laptop A laptop, laptop computer, or notebook computer is a small, portable personal computer (PC) with a screen and alphanumeric keyboard. Laptops typically have a clam shell form factor with the screen mounted on the inside of the upper li ...

s, desktops and

s. A list of supported robots, and supported application formats:

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. Approved developers are getting access to pre-launched apps.

Robopedia

On August 17, 2012, the company launched Robopedia - 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, as well as read step-by-step application-development for numerous 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, 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.

References

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