Page 196 - Modern Robotics Building Versatile Macines

176 Modern Robotics

A fascinating overview of the development of robotics and the many uses of
robots today, including exploration, factory work, medicine, toys, and enter-
tainment. For young adult readers.
Menzel, Peter, and Faith D’Aluisio. Robo Sapiens: Evolution of a New
Species. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2000.
A lavishly illustrated gallery of innovative robots and interviews with their
creators.
Moravec, Hans. Robot: Mere Machine to Transcendent Mind. New York:
Oxford University Press, 1999.
A prominent robotics researcher describes the developments in modern robot-
ics that point to a future in which robots overtake humans in intelligence.
Thro, Ellen. Robotics: Intelligent Machines for the New Century. New
Edition. New York: Facts On File, 2003.
Describes the history and concepts behind robotics, including anatomy, func-
tions, intelligence, and applications.
Warwick, Kevin. March of the Machines: The Breakthrough in Artificial
Intelligence. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1997.
Warwick suggests that robotics and artificial intelligence have already accom-
plished far more than most people realize. More breakthroughs are coming,
and people need to find creative ways to respond.
Wood, Gaby. Edison’s Eve: A Magical History of the Quest for Mechanical
Life. New York: Knopf, 2002.
Describes the development of clever, intricate automatons through the centu-
ries, as well as the literature and folklore that celebrated them.

Internet Resources

A Brief History of Robotics. MSNBC. Available online. URL: http://www.
msnbc.com/modules/robot_history. Accessed on August 1, 2005.
A slide-show view of the development of robots, with emphasis on robots in
popular culture and in a variety of applications.
Lego Mindstorms. Available online. URL: http://mindstorms.lego.com/
eng/default.asp?domainredir=www.legomindstorms.com. Accessed on
September 25, 2005.
Presents products and activities based on the popular LEGO-based robotics
kits.
Mars Exploration Rover Mission. Available online. URL: http://marsrovers.
jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/images.html. Accessed on August 5, 2005.
This Jet Propulsion Laboratory site contains news, activities, archives, and
multimedia files relating to NASA’s Mars rovers.