Robot Building For Dummies

Summary

Discover what robots can do and how they work

Find out how to build your own robot and program it to perform tasks

Ready to enter the robot world? This book is your passport! It walks you through building your very own little metal assistant from a kit, dressing it up, giving it a brain, programming it to do things, even making it talk. Along the way, you’ll gather some tidbits about robot history, enthusiasts’ groups, and more.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Part I: Getting Started with Robotics.

Chapter 1: So, You Want to Build a Robot?

Chapter 2: Plotting a Path.

Chapter 3: Building Your First Robot.

Part II: Programmable Robot Prep.

Chapter 4: Setting Up Your Robot Workshop.

Chapter 5: The Nuts and Bolts of Robot Building.

Chapter 6: A Programming Primer.

Part III: Building a Programmable Robot.

Chapter 7: Preparing to Build a Programmable Robot.

Chapter 8: From Whiskers to Wheels.

Chapter 9: If I Only Had a Brain.

Chapter 10: Introducing Your Robot to Your Computer.

Part IV: Augmenting Your Programmable Robot.

Chapter 11: Expanding Your Robot’s Universe.

Chapter 12: Making Your Robot See the Light.

Chapter 13: Some Like It Hot.

Chapter 14: Halt! Who Goes There?

Chapter 15: Yakety-Yak: Adding Speech to Your Robot.

Chapter 16: I See You.

Chapter 17: Controlling Your Robot from Afar.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 18: Ten Excellent Parts Suppliers.

Chapter 19: Ten Safety Pointers.

Index.