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Robotics Home - Engineering Book - Mechanical Engineering - Robotics: 
JunkBots, Bugbots, and Bots on Wheels: Building Simple Robots With BEAM Technologyby Dave Hrynkiw, Mark W. Tilden Paperback: 374 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.86 x 9.12 x 7.42 Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; ; (September 27, 2002) ISBN: 0072226013 Check price @ amazon.com , amazon.ca , amazon.co.uk Book Info: Get step by step instructions from the Junkbot masters for creating simple and fun self-guiding robots safely and easily using common and not-so-common objects from around the house--or within a quick shopping trip away. From the Back Cover: Create a cool robot from scratch--in just a few hours! Ever wonder what to do with those discarded items in your junk drawer? Now you can use electronic parts from old Walkmans, spare remote controls, even paper clips to build your very own autonomous robots and gizmos. Get step-by-step instructions from the Junkbot masters for creating simple and fun self-guiding robots safely and easily using common and not-so-common objects from around the house--or within a quick shopping trip away. Using BEAM technology, ordinary tools, salvaged electronic bits, and the occasional dead toy, you'll be able to construct a solar-powered obstacle-avoiding device, engineer a mini-sumo-wrestling robot, build a motorized walking robot bug, and much more. So grab your screwdriver, raid that dumpster, and join the robot-building revolution! • Get an overview of basic electronics, robot construction methods, and learn the difference between "dead bug" and "live bug" electronics • Identify the essential tools you need for mechanical assembly and gain important safety tips • Find out why BEAM robotics is a growing alternative to traditional CPU-based robotics • Learn "dumpster diving" strategies for collecting prime robot construction material that's available no other way • Use a cell phone battery or solar panel from a calculator to create dual-power sources for your robot • Understand how to use soldering equipment and various support tools Table of Contents 1: Welcome to the World of Simple Robotics! 2: BEAM Safety: Read This Before Building a Robot 3: Identifying Electronic Bits 4: Electronics Assembly Techniques 5: Tools and Mechanical Assembly Techniques 6: Dumpster Diving 101: How to Scavenge Robot Parts 7: Project 1: The Symet: An Introduction to Solar Powered Robotics 8: Project 2: The Solaroller: BEAM-Style Drag Racer 9: Project 3: The Herbie Photovore 10: Project 4: The Bicore Headbot 11: Project 5: The BEAM Magbot Pendulum 12: Project 6: The BEAM Mini-Sumo Wrestling Edgebot 13: Project 7: The BEAM Walking Robot 14: Biomech Motor Bridges and the Adaptive Bicore A: Resources for More BEAM Information B: Materials and Techniques of BEAM Robotics C: Technical Schematics Index Customer Reviews Keeper, November 16, 2002 Reviewer: Morris Rosenthal from Springfield, MA United States Great book for beginners in robotics OR electronics. This book focuses on the minimalist BEAM approach to robotics, as opposed to the full blown combat robots you see on TV. Starts with the real basics, everything from reading resistor color bands (BBROYGBVGW - Bad Boys etc...) to proper soldering techniques. Then it moves on to a series of step-by-step micro-bot builds, generously illustrated with photos and diagrams. If you can't find the parts around the house to build your bots, you can always take the author's dumpster diving tips to heart. I'd recommend this book for anybody who's not afraid of soldering and glue fumes. The Best of BEAM, November 5, 2002 Reviewer: Gareth Branwyn from Arlington, VA USA This is, by far, the best robotics how-to book I've ever read. I've been following the BEAM "movement" from its inception, and Dave Hrynkiw's work for years. This book makes the BEAM approach toward robotics accessible to everyone, from the complete newbie to the more experienced hobbyist. I was amazed at how well the book was written (it's genuinely funny in spots), and how much attention to detail was evident in clear photos and well-done illustrations. This is a model for how such a book should be done. There are seven projects in the book, from a simple solar-powered top to a rather sophisticated four-legged insect-like walker. Set-by-step instructions are given for each project, along with process photos and circuit diagrams. One of the coolest things about BEAMbots is that they're often built from analog electronics scavenged from techno-junk (old solar calculators, Walkman, pagers, modems, etc.). Dave provides info on how to round up this junk and where to go for the parts you can't scrounge. I think that making some of these little autonomous robo-critters and letting them scuttle and flail around in your office (seeking light, avoiding light, dodging obstacles) would be a great way of flexing your superior geek muscles. Make some of these babies and you'll be the envy of propellerheads everywhere! Hrynkiw! Tilden! What more could you need?, October 4, 2002 Reviewer: A reader from Los Alamos, NM USA This book definitely has what it takes to introduce enthusiasts of all ages to the many aspects of BEAM robotics. It is important to note that it covers topics from those that are very simple (good learning material for those new to the topic or are fairly young) to those that are quite esoteric (satisfying food for thought for the experienced BEAM roboticist.) We can only hope for more from this group of authors. |
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