Page 35 - Robot Builder's Bonanza

4 WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ROBOTICS!

Figure 1-1 Amateur robots can take many
forms and sizes: mobile (moving) robots use
wheels, tracks, or legs for propulsion; arms
and grippers allow the robot to manipulate
its environment. (Includes photos courtesy
Lynxmotion and Russell Cameron)

around you may not immediately share your excitement, but you know that you’ve built
something— however humble— with your own hands and ingenuity.
If you’re one of the lucky few who has already assembled a working bot, then you know
the excitement I’m talking about. You know how thrilling it is to see your robot obey your
commands, as if it were a trusted dog.
You know the time and effort that went into constructing your mechanical marvel, maybe
something like the ones in the robo- zoo picture in Figure 1-1—all are hobby robots. And
although others may not always appreciate it (especially when it marks up the kitchen floor
with its rubber tires), you’re satisfied with the accomplishment. You’re looking forward to the
next challenge.
And if you’ve built a robot, you also know of the heartache and frustration that come with
the process. You know that not every design works, and that even a simple engineering flaw
can cost weeks of effort, not to mention ruined parts. This book will help you— beginner and
experienced robot creator alike— get the most out of your robotics hobby.

Why Build Robots?

I wanted to build my first robot the moment I saw the sci- fi movie classic The Day the Earth
Stood Still (the original, mind you, not the remake). Many have gotten the Bot Building Bug
from watching movies, like Star Wars, Short Circuit, or Terminator.
No matter where the inspiration comes from, there are many reasons to build your own
robot. Here are just a few of them.

ROBOTICS IS A KEYSTONE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY
I recently purchased a new smartphone. As I went through its feature list I was amazed at all
the things it could do— and how many of them were technologies we robot builders were play-
ing with over a decade ago!
Robotics is a natural test bed for new ideas. Robot builders have been among the first

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