I, Robot Programmer The Beginner's Guide to Programming Robots

by Watkins, Trevor

• ISBN13: 9780789751485
• ISBN10: 0789751488
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2016-10-14
• Publisher: Que Pub

Summary

I, Robot Programmer is the only robotics programming tutorial that teaches the basics of robotics programming in any language, shows how to apply those concepts with the hugely popular LEGO Mindstorms NXT-G language, and then walks you through a pair of start-to-finish robot projects – covering both programming and construction. Absolutely no robotics or programming experience is necessary. What’s more, even if you someday choose a different robot programming language, you won’t be a beginner anymore: you’ll be able to use all the concepts you learn here. Coverage includes:

• Building a robotic armored car with dual-firing cannons
• Building an Army HEMTT (Heavy Expanded Mobility) roboto
• Writing programs that make your robots speak and display visuals
• Making your robots move – and making them decide
• Using repetition, reusable functions, and data blocks
• Extending your robot’s capabilities via sensors
• Giving your robot “purpose”
• Debugging your NXT-G programs so they work exactly as intended

 Chapter exercises and sample projects reinforce what you’ve learned, helping you test your skills and improvise additional capabilities – and also making this book an exceptionally valuable classroom and laboratory resource.

Author Biography

Trevor Watkins is a co-author of “Build Your Own Teams of Robots with Lego Mindstorms NXT and Bluetooth,” (McGraw-Hill/TAB) which publishes in Feb. 2013 Trevor is a network communications and system integrations specialist. Trevor has over a decade of experience designing, integrating, and deploying heterogenous/homogenous systems and networks for various Government and research institutions in the state of Ohio.

Trevor is currently the Technology Manager at the Wadsworth Public Library, where he designs, integrates, and administers all aspects of the library's network and information systems. In addition to his system design, network communications, and integration experience, Trevor is an adjunct professor in the Computer Science and Information Systems Department at Youngstown State University, where he teaches high level programing languages and computer networks. Trevor has been a robot hobbyist for more than 20 years with the past five years years dedicated to NXT-Mindstorms, Vex and Arduino-based robot kits, and consults with local high school robotics teams. He is a professional member of both IEEE, and ACM.

Table of Contents

1. Getting Started. I Bought My LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0: Now What?

2. Building My First Robot: Armored Car with Dual Firing Cannons

3. Building My Second Robot: Army HEMTT (Heavy Expanded Mobility)

4. Introduction to Programming

5. My Robots Can Speak and Display Things?

6. My Robots Are Ready to Move

7. Selection. My Robot Will Decide?

8. It’s All in the Wires

9. Repetition: Can We Do That Again?

10. Introduction to Functions: How to Reuse Your Code

11. Data Blocks

12. Using the Sensors to Extend Your Robots Capabilities

13. Give My Robot Purpose

Appendix A. Debugging Your NXT Programs