Microsoft is challenging developers worldwide to create conversational robots, or ‘Bots’, for MSN Messenger and Windows Live Messenger. The most original, useful robots collect $40,000 in total prizes.

And now you can win loads more cool prizes when you enter the UK competition that runs alongside the global competition.

Bots are software programs that you can add to MSN Messenger and Windows Live Messenger. If you add a robot to your contact list, it can chat, give you customer service support, perform searches, make suggestions, play games and more. So the Microsoft Developer Technology Team is looking for the best new robot ideas for Messenger.

To help you get the links, resources and news that will help you build world-beating Bots and win big in the international competition, take a look at the UK competition site, www.britbot.co.uk, and find out more about the global competition at www.robotinvaders.com.

Also as an additional incentive, the first 50 Bot designers to sign up at www.britbot.co.uk with a Bot that’s been accepted into the global competition will get a free £20 Firebox.com voucher – to spend on anything they like.

The robots are invading! Play your part in building the invasion force and ensure you’re in line to get your hands on those great prizes.