Page 28 - Robot Builder's Bonanza

INTRODUCTION xxvii

In order to provide more space for juicy tidbits about robot building, some of the longer
ON THE
programming examples are moved from the printed page and located as free downloads on
the RBB Online Support site. When applicable, you’ll see a note like this one telling you to go to
W E B
the support site so you can fetch the code.

What You’ll Learn

Robot Builder’s Bonanza is divided into eight sections; each one covers a major component
of building a robot.

Part 1: The Art and Science of Robot Building. What you need to get started; setting
up shop; how and where to get robot parts.
Part 2: Robot Construction. Robots made of plastic, wood, and metal; working with
common materials; converting toys into robots; mechanical construction techniques;
using rapid prototyping techniques to build fast and cheap robots. Includes three full and
complete robot projects: PlyBot, PlastoBot, and TinBot.
Part 3: Power, Motors, and Locomotion. Using batteries; powering the robot; working
with different kinds of motors; powering motors from computerized electronics; mount-
ing motors and wheels; using space- age shape memory alloy.
Part 4: Hands- on Robotics Projects. Lots of projects and ideas for building robots with
wheels, tracks, and legs; constructing arm systems; building robot hands.
Part 5: Robot Electronics. Circuitry for robots; common components and how they
work; constructing circuits on solderless breadboards; making your own soldered circuit
boards.
Part 6: Computers and Electronic Control. Smart electronics for your bot; introduction
to microcontrollers; programming fundamentals.
Part 7: Microcontroller Brains. All about three popular microcontrollers: Arduino,
PICAXE, and BASIC Stamp; interfacing electronics to your microcontroller or com-
puter; operating your robot via wire, infrared, and radio remote control.
Part 8: Sensors, Navigation, and Feedback. Collision detection and avoidance; sensing
when objects are nearby; gravity, compass, and other navigation sensors; measuring
distance using ultrasonic sound and infrared; eyes for your robot; navigation techniques;
making and listening to sound; smoke, flame, and heat detection.

G Whenever practical, I’ve designed the components as discrete building blocks, so that you can
combine the blocks in just about any configuration you want. The robot you create will be
uniquely yours, and yours alone.

Expertise You Need

Actually . . . you don’t need any experience to use this book. It tells you what you need to
know.
But if you happen to already have some experience— such as in construction, electronics,
or programming— you’re free to move from chapter to chapter at will. There are plenty of
cross-references to help you expand your discovery zone.

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