- This paper describes Orca: an open-source software project which applies Component-Based Software Engineering principles to robotics. The paper focuses on the technical aspects of the framework which set it apart from other similar efforts. Among them are the adaption of a commercial middleware package, minimalist approach to framework design, and a commitment to multi-language multi-platform support. The paper explains our decision to use Ice -- a relatively recent entry in the field of general-purpose middleware packages.