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Bots / The Ultimate Palm Robot/ Mukhar & Johnson / 222880-6 / Front Matter 1

xiv The Ultimate Palm Robot

While we intend this book to be a resource for beginners as well as expe-
rienced hobbyists, it is geared more toward the beginner. For that reason,
we begin in Chapter 1, Meeting the Palm Robot, with a gentle introduction to
the world of robots. We’ll look at what makes a robot, some of the various
types of robots, and why the Palm Pilot Robot is ideal for beginners.

Using a kit to build something is always easier than doing it yourself. In
Chapter 2, Getting the Parts, we’ll show you where to get a Palm Pilot Robot
Kit, or, if you want the challenge, which parts you need to get to do it your-
self. In Chapter 3, Building the Robot, we’ll show you how to put it all to-
gether. There are two versions of the robot; we’ll show you how to build
the original PPRK using the Pontech SV203 controller, and how to build
the newer model that uses the Acroname BrainStem controller. For a few
Palm OS devices, you’ll need to do some additional work on your robot for
it to function with the Palm OS device. Chapter 4, Using Palm VIIs and
Handspring Visors, shows you what you need to do to get the robot to work
with Palm VIIs and Handspring Visors.
After you’ve built the robot, you need to get software to make it do
something, such as chase objects, follow patterns, or conquer the world. In
Chapter 5, Checking Out the Robot, we’ll show you where to get software
developed by other hobbyists, and how to use that software to test the op-
eration of your robot. The real fun starts when you can develop your own
software and watch your robot do what you want it to do. In Chapter 6, The
Palm Robot Programmer (PRP), we introduce an application that we devel-
oped specifically for this book. Using the Palm Robot Programmer, you
click icons and use those icons to create a program for your robot. When
the program is complete, the Palm Robot Programmer will convert the
program into computer source code for you. Chapter 6 will also provide a
brief introduction to how to use the code with your robot. While the Palm
Robot Programmer is meant for those new to programming, experienced
programmers will want to check it out as well. The Palm Robot Program-
mer is designed so that experienced programmers can extend it for new
programming languages.
Experienced programmers will also want to check out Chapter 7, Essen-
tial Robot Programming Strategies, and Chapter 8, Taking Control of the
BrainStem Robot. In Chapter 7 we show you how to write your own pro-
grams for the Pontech SV203 controller. We look at programming in
BASIC and C, and write a simple program in both languages that will

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Tuesday, May 13, 2003 12:31:47 PM