Personal Robotics

by Raucci ,Richard

• ISBN13: 9781568810898
• ISBN10: 156881089X
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1999-07-21
• Publisher: A. K. Peters

Summary

Many companies are now offering robots that are geared to the casual electronics hobbyist, both in kit form and as fully assembled models. This book gives an overview of available robot products, ranging from the simple to the complex. Interested readers will be able to find the robot kit that matches their skill level and pocketbook. Beginners may want to try a robot that's already fully assembled, or a kit with pre-assembled electronics. Other readers may opt for kits that require soldering and electronic experience. Other criteria a reader will be able to review include motion systems (robots that roll on wheels, or walk on legs, or robot arms), available sensors (from none to a wide range), and programming complexity (how the robot is programmed). If it's not really a robot, it's not in this book.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	1	(1)
What Is a Robot, and What Isn't	1	(2)
Robot Characteristics	3	(1)
What Can a Real Robot Do?	3	(1)
Robot Controls	4	(1)
Programming Methods	5	(1)
Audience	5	(1)
Book Layout	5	(2)
Robots and Society: Perception vs. Reality	7	(18)
Robot History	7	(7)
The Robot and the Media	14	(8)
Real Robots	22	(3)
Section 1. Educational Robotic Building Kits	25	(64)
Capsela	27	(16)
Capsela 575 Programmable Command Center	28	(1)
Capsela 575 Programming Modes	29	(9)
Capsela Voice Command (VC 3000) and Voice Command 6000	38	(3)
Final Thoughts	41	(2)
LEGO Robotics Kits	43	(18)
The RCX Programmable Microcontroller	44	(4)
LEGO Dacta RoboLab	48	(1)
Further Ideas	49	(4)
Final Thoughts	53	(1)
Contact Information	54	(1)
LEGO Barcode Multiset (Code Pilot)	55	(4)
Further Ideas	59	(1)
Contact Information	60	(1)
Learning Curve --- Robotix Robot Kits	61	(20)
Features of the Robotix Computer	62	(2)
Using the Computer	64	(2)
Projects	66	(13)
Final Thoughts	79	(1)
Contact Information	79	(2)
TurboZ 32.8 SL Programmable Robot Model Car	81	(8)
Features	82	(1)
Programming	82	(3)
Further Ideas	85	(2)
Final Thoughts	87	(1)
Contact Information	87	(2)
Section 2. Intermediate Robot Kits	89	(80)
Johuco Phoenix	91	(8)
Features	91	(2)
Programming	93	(4)
Final Thoughts	97	(1)
Contact Information	98	(1)
StampBug II	99	(4)
Programming	101	(1)
Further Ideas	101	(1)
Final Thoughts	102	(1)
Contact Information	102	(1)
BEAM Robotics	103	(8)
The PhotoPopper	103	(2)
Contact Information	105	(1)
CYBUG	105	(3)
Contact Information	108	(1)
Final Thoughts	109	(2)
OWI Elekits	111	(24)
Navius	111	(4)
Final Thoughts	115	(1)
WAO II	115	(18)
Final Thoughts	133	(1)
Contact Information	133	(2)
Robix	135	(12)
Features	136	(1)
Program Mode	136	(1)
Teach Mode	136	(3)
Example Models	139	(5)
Further Suggestions	144	(1)
Final Thoughts	144	(1)
Contact Information	145	(2)
Fischer Technik Mobile Robots Kit-# 30400	147	(8)
Models You Can Build	148	(4)
Programming	152	(1)
Further Ideas	153	(1)
Final Thoughts	153	(1)
Contact Information	154	(1)
Rug Warrior Pro™	155	(14)
Programming Essentials	158	(3)
Sample Programs	161	(2)
Special Projects	163	(4)
Final Thoughts	167	(1)
Contact Information	167	(2)
Section 3. Advanced Robot Platforms	169	(18)
Pioneer Robots	171	(16)
Features	173	(1)
Options	174	(4)
Programming the Pioneer	178	(6)
Further Ideas	184	(1)
Final Thoughts	184	(1)
Contact Information	185	(2)
Index	187