Why are C, C++, and LISP so prevalent in embedded devices and robots?

Question

It seems that the software language skills most sought for embedded devices and robots are C, C++, and LISP. Why haven\'t more recent languages made inroads into these applicat

Answer 1

Most commercial and industrial robots are programmed in C or C++. There maybe another language that the user interacts with. For example The industrial robot company I work for uses C running in a VxWork OS, but the applications programmers like me work with a proprietary language for commanding the robot. Both C and C++ give you a great deal of access and control over the hardware. You don't find too many commercial drivers for high power servo control motors. While complex these robots just follow basic routines.

LISP is mainly used in research robots like those that competed in the DARPA challenge. These types of robots need more "intelligence" then industrial or commercial robots.