Microsoft released Robotics Developer Studio 2008, a software program that enables users to create applications for robots. The previous two versions of the software have been downloaded 250,000 times, and more than 60 companies currently use the software for developing commercial robots. The studio creates a virtual environment for educational purposes, with the goal of teaching robotics students at universities to design and implement virtual robotics. The package also will contain all the services needed to build a complete virtual robot controller.