Carnegie Mellon U Releases Robotics Programming Language

The Robotics Academy at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh has released ROBOTC 2.0, a programming language for robots used in educational environments.

Developed by Robotics Institute engineer Tim Friez and original ROBOTC inventor Dick Swan, the language is applicable to such widely used educational robotics systems as Lego Mindstorms RCX and NXT and Innovation First VEX and Cortex systems. The package comes complete with compiler, text editor, project editor, and runtime environment. Upgrades from the original release include an interactive, real-time debugger; support for a variety of sensors; support for WAV and MIDI sound file playback; and a new graphical user interface.

"Computer programming is not taught at the middle school level, yet hundreds of thousands of children gain their first programming experience with robots," said Robin Shoop, director of the Robotics Academy. "We introduced ROBOTC four years ago because students working with robots should spend their time learning scientific, mathematical and engineering principles, not learning a different programming language for each robot platform. Also, the programming environment students use should be compatible with a language such as C that they likely will use for years to come and with an interface that will help them transition to those used by professionals."

The ROBOTC 2.0 package--actually now at version 2.0.2 as of this writing--also includes an accompanying suite of tools and resources designed to be easily accessible and intuitive while offering the power and functionality necessary for advanced applications.

Shoop noted that early introduction to advanced computer and robotics technology is key to fostering interest in the fields among students in the United States, where enrollment in such programs faced six straight years of decline before beginning to rebound in the last year. "If we want America to lead the world in innovation, we need more students studying computer science, not fewer," Shoop said.

About the Author

Scott Aronowitz is a freelance writer based in Las Vegas. He has covered the technology, advertising, and entertainment sectors for seven years. He can be reached here.

Featured

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • illustration of a human head with a glowing neural network in the brain, connected to tech icons on a cool blue-gray background

    Meta Introduces Stand-Alone AI App

    Meta Platforms has launched a stand-alone artificial intelligence app built on its proprietary Llama 4 model, intensifying the competitive race in generative AI alongside OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.

  • robot waving

    Copilot Updates Aim to Personalize AI

    Microsoft has introduced a range of updates to its Copilot platform, marking a new phase in its effort to deliver what it calls a "true AI companion" that adapts to individual users' needs, preferences and routines.