Overview
Main description
A major revision of the bestselling "bible" of amateur robotics building--packed with the latest in servo motor technology, microcontrolled robots, remote control, Lego Mindstorms Kits, and other commercial kits.
Gives electronics hobbyists fully illustrated plans for 11 complete Robots, as well as all-new coverage of Robotix-based Robots, Lego Technic-based Robots, Functionoids with Lego Mindstorms, and Location and Motorized Systems with Servo Motors.
Features a pictures and parts list that accompany all projects, and material on using the BASIC Stamp and other microcontrollers.
Table of contents
Robot Basics. The Robot Experimenter. Anatomy of a Robot. Tools and Supplies. Buying Parts. Common Electronic Components. Electronic Construction Techniques. Programming Cocepts: The Fundamentals. Robot Construction. Building a Plastic Robot Platform. Building a Basic Wooden Platform. Building a Metal Platform. Constructing High Tech Robots from Toys. Build Custom Fouctionaoids with LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System. Programming the LEGO Mindstorms RCX: Advanced Methods. Power, Motors, and Locomotion. All About Batteries and Robot Power Supplies. Robot Locomotion Principles. Choosing the Right Motor for the Job. Working with DC Motors. Working with Stepper Motors. Working with Servo Motors. Practical Robotics Projects. Build a Roverbot. Build a Heavy-Duty Six-Legged Walking Robot. Advanced Locomotion Systems. An Overview of Arm Systems. Build a Revolute Cordinate Arm. Build a Polar Coordinate Arm. Experimenting with Gripper Designs. Computer and Electronic Control. An Overview of Tobot "Brains". Interfacing with Computers and Microcontrollers. Computer Control Via PC Printer Port. Using the Basic Stamp. Using the BasicX Microcontroller. Using the OOPic Microcontroller. Remote Control Systems. Sensors and Navigation. Adding the Sense of Touch. Collision Avoidance and Detection. Robotic Eyes. Navigating Through Space. Fire Detection Systems. sound Output and Input. Experimenting with Tilt and Gravity Sensors. Tips, Tricks, and Tidbits for the Robot Expermimentor. Appendices.
Author comments
Gordon McComb is an avid electronics hobbyist who has written for TAB Books for a number of years. He wrote the best-selling Troubleshooting and Repairing VCRs (now in its third edition), Gordon McComb’s Gadgeteer’s Goldmine , and Lasers, Ray Guns, and Light Cannons . He currently writes the widely-read Robotics Workshop column for Poptronics Magazine .
Back cover copy
Everybody's favorite amateur robotics book is bigger, bolder, and better than ever!
Readers at Amazon say:
"It's not just good. It's greeaaaaaaaaaat! Awesome book."
"The projects are simple to build and give the beginner an excellent foundation in robotics."
"This is an excellent book for beginners. The author provides the pros and cons out of his own experiences."
*Robots that walk, see, feel, talk, listen, and think.
Remote-controlled robots and robots that find their own way.
A robotic arm and a robotic bug.
Robots made from toys, and robots controlled by computers.
Robots with "brains."
You can build them all from plans in this book, or design your own. Just look inside. This updated edition of Gordon McComb's best-selling Robot Builder's Bonanza features fascinating science tidbits, field-tested projects, and modular organization to make it easy to invent and build your own designs. Full appendices provide suggestions for further reading, Internet information sources, names and addresses for mail order supply companies, and help with interfacing logic families.
This heavily illustrated "bible" of amateur robotics is the best you can ever find. Take it home and start building robots today.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET STARTED
*Where to Get the Parts
*How Much They Cost
*Working with Plastic, Wood, & Metal
*Constructing the 'Bot
*Avoiding Common Mistakes
Fully Illustrated Plans for these Amazing Robots
Minibot
Scooterbot
Roverbot
Six-Legged Walking Robot
Pepbot
Lego Lightbots that Seek and Avoid Light
Polar coordinate robotic arm
Revolute coordinate robotic arm
More
NEW IN THIS EDITION
*Lego Technic-Based Robots
*Functionoids with Lego Mindstorms
*Fixed and Mobile Systems with Servo Motors
*Using the Basic Stamp, BasicX, and Other Microcontrollers
*Remote Controlled Robots
*Infrared, Ultrasonic, Laser, and other High-Tech Sensors
"Gordon McComb is my favorite how-to author."
--a reader at Amazon
