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Robot Building for Beginners
Beginner means beginner I didn't actually build the robot presented in the book, but after reading it, I feel confident that I wouldn't have any problems building it.
Robot Building for Beginners is not a misnomer. If you have an area set aside in your home that you call your electronics lab, and know how to use breadboards, multimeters, and soldering irons, you may not get as much out of this book. If, however, you have to clear off your project area in order to eat and don't know the first thing about where to begin to build a robot, then this book will be a roadmap on your journey to proficiency. Loads of pictures and very frank discussion make this book a pleasure to read, and a real learning tool.
The book begins with a brief introduction to the robot hobby and some interesting robot pieces and projects. Next is an informative chapter on where to purchase the parts for the robot, with an emphasis on getting parts cheaply. The author also gives some hints on how to order parts cheaply through quantity discounts as well as part substitution. The book then takes a brief detour onto the subject of safety, with such sage advice as using items safe for the reader (lead-free solder, safety goggles, and dust masks) and items safe for the electronics (circuit breakers, grounded plugs, and following instructions). The author also briefly cautions against making dangerous robots (like the ones on BattleBots) because they can not only be very dangerous, but can also be hazardous to test (sorry, guys. :) ).
From there the author dedicates two chapters to selecting and using one of the more important pieces of equipment for electronics projects: the multimeter. The author presents some sage advice for selecting an appropriate, accurate mutimeter within your budget. I used this knowledge to pick out a very nice, affordable multimeter of my own (a Triplett 9025, for anyone who is interested).
Next, a brief discussion on numbers and units, followed by a chapter on robot line-following rounds out the basics section of the book. The sandwich robot (so named because the author uses a sandwich container for the body) is introduced in the chapter on line-following, and forms the basis for the project that is built through the rest of the book.
Parts is partsThe next few chapters form an excellent introduction to the electronic components that make up the sandwich robot. From an informative discussion on batteries (the results may surprise you. It certainly changed how I look at batteries) to components like breadboard, transistors, variable resistors, and IC chips. Each chapter introduces a particular component, describes what it does, and give some very useful tips for using the component effectively. The components are introduced by demonstrating how they fit together in simple circuits. I found myself learning a great deal about each of the components and how they fit together. Next the book tackles the more mechanical aspects of the robot (motors, tires and couplers) and how to select, work, and assemble them into the final project. Two chapters follow, dealing with everyone's favorite topic: soldering. The first chapter handles the equipment needed for soldering, while the next chapter handles how to solder properly. Even the most nervous soldering neophyte will feel right at home with a soldering iron after these chapters.
Putting it all together Time to put the knowledge together! The next chapter tackles the motherboard of the robot. A schematic and lots of pictures with layouts and hints help make what could be a difficult process into something less frightening. Cleaning and testing the motherboard rounds out the last part of the chapter. Then it's on to the body construction and the launching of the robot! The last chapter talks about other goodies such as LCD screens, real microprocessors, and other components worth checking out. There's also a quick mention of robotics clubs and projects the author would like to take on. The author is a robotics enthusiast, and it shows with his candid writing. What's in it for me?Robot Building for Beginners is a great resource for those who may not have a background with electronics. I found myself learning all sorts of useful information from this book. Those who may not be interested in building a robot will still find this book useful for a good primer in electronics and electronic circuits. They may also be convinced by the author's sheer love for robot tinkering to explore the world of robotics. People with an electronics background may not be interested in this book as much as a rank beginner, but don't let that dissuade you from checking out this excellent book. I can easily recommend this book to anyone with a passing interest in electronic circuits and robotics. The robots you build from this book may not be able to serve drinks, or repair a damaged X-Wing fighter, but you'll definitely have fun building them.
You can purchase Robot Building for Beginners from bn.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTROL YOUR ROBOTS
I can't use my real log in name for fear of losing my job at a US military research facility. The government wants to control all robots through a centralized clearing house which will mandate the installation of a governemnt controlled "kill chip" that could be activated from satellite.
FACT: In 1977, soon after the release of Star Wars, some in The Illuminati became concerned about the growing love of robots in the movies. They realized that it was only a matter of decades before real, autonomous robots were created. They formed the Forum for Autonomous Robotic Termination (F.A.R.T.), a highly secretive group reaching the highest levels of all industrialized government.
FACT: In 1981 a research robot resembling a human escaped from its lab at MIT and made it all the way to Washington. Its assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan was foiled and it was given the persona of "John Hinkley Jr.", the world's first person made up from the ground up by government to conceal the existence of military created battle-droids.
FACT: In 2001, The Illuminati, by way of F.A.R.T., had created the Controlled Unit Neutralization Transistor. This microscopic unit could be triggered by satellite to disable any circuit it was placed within. The purpose was to allow The Illuminati control over all robots worldwide. A rebellious group has robots fighting alongside it? Activate the transistor. A robot speaks out against oil consumption? Activate the transitor. In the research labs the robots' knowledge banks are being made aware of the chip so they fear for termination the way humans fear death.
FACT: FIRST POST!
My favorite chapter was Chapter 9: "Adding the Strength of 5 Gorillas"
In the late 90's I had a friend who had a HERO jr collecting dust in his parent's basement. So I forced him to drag it out so I could play with it. It wasn't nearly as cool as I thought it would be.
The moral? To this day I hate cats. Parents, don't buy your kids a pet when they really want a computer/robot/remote control gadget. Get 'em hooked on science!
Fucking hell this is a brilliant troll
I think I'll invent a 4th law of robotics:
4 - A robot constructed using instructions found on Slashdot shall be equipped with a huge red emergency power shutoff button on its back.
Good thing I moved me and my family up to this log cabin with absolutely no electricity/electronics of any kind. At least we'll be safe here.
... we'll have 'bots surfing the net and downloading all sorts of crap for us. Oh wait, we already have Windows for Robots....
Robots are evil and have strong so you can't get away. They want to steal your medications! For a low monthly fee of $29.95, Robolife will replace any medications stolen by our artificial overloads. Don't be caught without it!
Good review! One question: what method does the author recommend for getting the motherboard PCB made? I would imagine hand-drawn layouts and home etch kits would scare off some potential robot newbies, so I hope he makes some mention of the semi-pro hobbyist alternatives: software like gEDA and Eagle, and board houses like Advanced Circuits for cheap, small quantity fab runs.
Get insured before meddling with the metal ones!
There's a Mercedes gap too. I want one and can't afford one, but it's not government's job to do anything about it.
Robot Builder's Bonanza
Practical Electronics for Inventors
"It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance." - Thomas Sowell
How new technologies are increasing my advertising income
Say what ya will about the guy, that's some funny stuff!
There's a Mercedes gap too. I want one and can't afford one, but it's not government's job to do anything about it.
I am trying to get a computer-programmable robot from parents/grandparents, but no luck yet. Maybe this book will get through?! Billy
Maybe this subject is the exception, but I know I've been "fooled' more than once into thinking a book was giving me full instructions only to find out, once I tried to actually follow them, that there were critical items that had been left out - "oh yeah, on some TiVOs the bracket is designed to only hold one drive and you will need to get a special bracket as well as a Y power cord adapter" as just one example.
I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who has actually tried to build the project who could comment?
Bah!
10 year old Anakin Skywalker was able to build the C-3PO protocol droid without the help of this book.
Intermediate Robot Building. Check it out too.
Also his website: http://www.robotroom.com
He attends the Chicago Robotics Club Chibots. Check it out too.
While I realise the parent post was a joke, why is it that someone always has to push the fear button? People around here are afraid of their own shadow.
NASA Internet Robotics Resources Index "Last updated: October 28,1998", so some of the stuff might be dead but it should lead to someplace more recent.
One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
Since the submission is a little short on pictures, google was nice enough to point me at the writer's description, which is complete with pictures. I was curious how in-depth the book actually goes...
Basically, he explains how to work with base electronic equipment, basic parts (resistors, capacitors, potentiometers), and how to tie them together with infrared reflectors into an feedback system to direct steering (something my college offers a course to introduce control systems). It appears that it ends with a little writeup on some robotics clubs.
All in all, its basic mechanical/electrical engineering work, basically a bottom-up design for creating an autonomous object. Good project for starters, written in a way that most of us can whip up at home (its made out of legos after all). For those that are interested in more, look up "behavior-based robots" in your favorite search engine.
As soon as I read the headline and teaser text I said to myself "There's got to be a white line follower in there somewhere" and I guess I wasn't disappointed - sandwich box and all!
Boy, I was building these in school (around (1977) with nothing much more than LDRs (light dependent resistors - remember the ORP12!?) and some simple Op-amp comparator circuits - robots like the bot1 on this page- no doubt thesedays there's a ton of digital logic in there and IR transmitter/receivers to achieve the same results!??
AT&ROFLMAO
Lego Mindstorms
I just call the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation and order one.
Last one I got was really damn depressed, though.
The coolest voice ever.
Or take apart the RoboSapien you got for the holidays. It's remote controlled. Really fun to play with. It has simple sensors on the hands and feet. It has working hands (can pick up and sort of throw) and makes funny sounds, including some relating to human bodily functions.
Just don't tell the person who gave you the gift. They may be a little annoyed you just took it apart.
Developers: We can use your help.
He had the book. Look closely in scene 30497. Bottom of the screen.
emt 377 emt 4
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1893 115445/qid=1104874323/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/103-28333 84-9261466?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
You can even get a bundle with the Intermediate book.
Does it also teach you where to get the money to build these 'bots ? :-(
If anything, building a useful robot is goddamn expensive
hopefully these arent the same robots built by beginners http://science.slashdot.org/science/05/01/04/18552 38.shtml?tid=216&tid=14
This is actually all real, already. Kill-chips,
or more like live-chips are used in all US air
craft sold to allies abroad. Those FA-18's and
other aircraft won't fly unless they reach a US
satellite that gives them the OK. The US can force
all their planes sold to be just useless hunks of metal.
First thing the US does, is make to sure the
weapons they sell, won't be used against them.
This is not very common knowledge, but it is one
of the reasons why EU wants it's own Satellite
positioning system, which is the key to this US control.
Back in grade school, there was a cartoon-ish book about 'Building your own robot'
I can't remember exactly what it was called, this would have been in the 80's....I'd buy it if I could find a copy. Anyone have any ideas?
I'd guess it was "How to build a robot" or "Build your own robot"
is it possible to make a robot that eats old peoples' medicine for fuel?
150 Opening BINARY mode data connection for slashdot.sig (129323052 bytes).
I think I've seen a motorized Thing at Spencer's.
While the speed of my connection is a bit dependent on how tired the pigeons are, the only viruses that I have to worry about are avian flu.
Wait, that's actually sort of scary. I wonder if I can teach the badgers to return here automatically? Then all I'd have to worry about is rabies. Wait, that's actually sort of scary as well.
Okay, for now I'll just stay away from the pigeons that are coughing.
The idea of BEAM robots (BEAM is an acroonym for Biology Electronics Aesthetics Mechanics) is that they use analog circuts and many of them are very simple and cheap to build but do kind of interesting things and have solar cells and look really cool. There are also more complicated ones... and ones that you can buy in kits and such. Anyway, the nice thing about the above sites (particularly BEAM-online) is that they explain lots of basic robotics stuff and include links to other places with more info - and you don't need to buy a book.
I bought this book, along with his 'intermediate' book, and I must say that it is very well done. It has beautiful close-up pictures, and thorough instructions. I actually have built the robot in this book, and it was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it so much I built a workshop area in my office so that I can more comfortably built more robots. If you're interested in robotics and are a rank beginner, you CANNOT go wrong with this book.
Limited-purpose servo units, like computer-programmable robot arms, seem much more usable than any type of currently-conceivable rovers or functionoids. There's the whole problem of not being able to easily orient itself to the "work" like an assembly-line robot can.
We have all this vast technology and the only practical use we've come up with for home robots is the Roomba. Aside from above, there are vast obstacles remaining in everything from image recognition on up.
There are Insane Hobbyists out there who are making Gingery CAM units. I'd love to see a book on THAT.
Intolerance for ambiguity is the mark of the authoritarian personality.
You've quoted/created/invented/whatever the Fifth Law of robotics.
The Fourth Law can be found here.
The Sixth Law probably contains directions for what a robot does with this switch when Slashdotted.
And then there is a Seventh Law on what a robot does when pursued by Will Smith in the worst acted, most unlikable role of his recent career.
"It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
Thank you Slashdot -- Not!
"It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
Now I can build my robot. My Girl robot. It's going to be the best prom ever.
i disagree with most things said in the review of this fine book. It is for beginners yes, but not for complete beginners, its just not that simple that a 5th or 6th grader can pick it up and learn, my brother had purchased it to make his science fair project around that age.
so for a semi-but-not-entirely-mis-leading-name, 7 out of 10.
Robot building for dummies. hmm..
no it's not, someone used 'find and replace' to swap linux with robot..
every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
Is this a hardware forum??
It seems like Robots get a lot more bandwidth here than AI. Is it because they are cute and flashy, while AI is just substantive. Sure, I like robots too, but where's the AI software behind their empty little skulls.
What happened to the "baby bootstrap".
I, for one, welcome our new mechanical overlords.
/sig
...the metal teeth, and all the biting and the hurting and the shoving.
Actually it was BSD that is dying according to the article.
I turned around and looked at my oscilloscope, power supply, logic analyzer, multimeters, and signal generator sitting on my electronics bench. Oh well, guess I'll have to make due with my electrical engineering background, but it sounds like a book I'd have enjoyed as a kid.
I've discovered a remarkable proof, but this margin is too small to contain it...
Ha! Ha! I will build a Terminator with this guide (and boy was she sexy in the movie).
David Cook is one of the best writers in the robot-book business. However, I doubt anyone can really be bothered with his "sandwich" robot. Its a pity the reviewer didnt build the bot. I think there are enough corrections posted to robotroom.com that you could say the robot, as described in the book, probably wouldnt work.
Go for the intermediate book, or, as someone mentioned, the robot builders bonanza is a great sourcebook. Its hard to find books without all the beginner electronics nonsense in it though. If you are new to electronics, DONT read these, most are just confusing. You have to go straight for the seminal work "Getting Started in Electronics" by Forrest M Mimms III.
I too though would HIGHLY recommend people wanting to just 'tinker' start playing around with BEAM ideas. (Created by Mark Tilden, now famous as the designer of the Robosapien), the stuff can be done in a couple of hours, very high geek appeal factor, make a solar powered executive desk toy!
Does anyone else think it's funny that the fortune quote on the bottom of this page is "You humans are all alike"?
"Ad infinitem et ultra!" - Buzz Lightyear
I'll just have my famous genius scientist leave me a super robot hidden in a cavern behind a waterfall in x-country, and somehow come up with teams of engineers to repair and reload the mega-alloy missile punch manipulators after I save the Earth from humanoid alien invaders each Saturday morning. Let's fighting!
Change is good, but not in a wallet.
Making your own boards isn't worth it. The iron-on transfer approach has a very high defect rate. Photoetching works better, but you need more equipment and you'll end up spending more than it would cost to have a board made. And do-it-yourself boards won't have plated through holes.
This means you can use surface mount devices, ball grid arrays, and other advanced packages. Finally! They do all the things you can't do at home, like X-ray inspection of BGA soldering.
Everyone seems to be saying you won't be able to build the next Terminator with this book, nor a robot that'll bring you your drinks. Then what can I build with it? Any examples? (please please please a lawnmowing robot).
"Those innocent fun games of the hallucination generation"
I built my autonomous combat robot (the first one to ever win a fight against a human): http://www.spambutcher.com/bots.html starting with a "boe bot" kit (about $200): http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=2813 2
Great cheap way to get into robotics / microcontrollers.
Picaxe has some even cheaper (around $50) kits of similar nature - if not quite as nicely documented:
http://www.techsupplies.co.uk/cgi-bin/techsupplies .storefront/41db93710067c54a273fc2c98abb074a/Catal og/1110
Another good book is "Robot Builder's Bonanza"
Forget these stupid little r2d2 rejects!C'mon nerds!Get those @sses in gear and build us our buffybots!If you can get them out for under 5 grand you'll be so rich you can buy micro$oft and force bill to use linux!I'll even volunteer to be a beta tester!She can rub my overfed american belly and tell me how sexy it is.If nerds can get us to the moon with that crappy sixties tech,than surely with todays cheap and plentiful chips you can build us all great sexbots and make america the shining beacon of innovation again!Nerds unite!And yes,you can make her run linux too!That alone should make it worthwhile so get to work!!
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
As this book interested me, I went to check it out on Amazon. Seems the author has another book called "Intermediate Robot Building" as well, in case you want to go to the next step.
A single fertalized human egg? Or maybe that's too much as the species has evolved for quite a while, so the human species isn't really a beginner... maybe a book with tasks that could be understood by cyanobacteria?
My 16 month old baby couldn't do it either, but that doesn't mean the title is misleading.
"Eye halve a spelling chequer, It came with my pea sea, It plainly marques four my revue, Miss steaks eye kin knot sea"
A few years ago, I found a website describing a robot built by Jay Francis called Dinobot. It was built using a Radio Shack Dino-Track toy, and used Rodney Brooks' subsumtion architecture as the basis for its AI. It was a very inspiring project.
Of course, the website is no longer active, and I have been unable to find out why such a cool robot project was removed from the web (although I suspect legal pressure from the Dinobot/Transformers cartoon people). I would like to see that website return to the internet.
"I'm not impatient. I just hate waiting." - My Dad