Absolutely no experience needed! Learn robot building from the ground up, hands-on, in full color!
Love robots? Start building them. It’s way easier than you ever imagined!
John Baichtal has helped thousands of people get started with robotics. He knows what beginners need to know. He knows your questions. He knows where you might need extra help. Now, he’s brought together this practical knowledge in one incredibly easy tutorial.
Hundreds of full-color photos guide you through every step, every skill. You’ll start simple, as you build a working robot in the very first chapter. Then, you’ll grow your skills to expert-level: powering motors, configuring sensors, constructing a chassis, even programming low-cost Arduino microcontrollers.
You’ll learn hands-on, through real step-by-step projects…and go straight to the cutting-edge with in-depth sidebars. Wondering just how much you can really do? Baichtal shows you 30 incredible robots built by people just like you!
John Baichtal’s books about toys, tools, robots, and hobby electronics include Hack This: 24 Incredible Hackerspace Projects from the DIY Movement; Basic Robot Building With Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0; Arduino for Beginners; MAKE: Lego and Arduino Projects for MAKE (as coauthor); and the forthcoming Building Your Own Drones: The Beginner’s Guide to UAVs and ROVs. A founding member of the pioneering Twin Cities Maker hackerspace, he got his start writing for Wired’s legendary GeekDad blog, and for DIYer bible MAKE Magazine.
- Make your robots move with motors and wheels
- Build solar-powered robots that work without batteries
- Control robots via Wi-Fi, radio, or even across the Internet
- Program robots to respond to sensor inputs
- Use your standard TV remote to control your robots
- Create robots that detect intruders and shoot them with Nerf® darts
- Grab and carry objects using claws and grippers
- Build water-borne robots that float, submerge, and “swim”
- Create “artbots” that paint or draw original artworks
- Enable your robots to send text messages when they take specific actions
- Discover today’s new generation of hobbyist-friendly robotics kits
- Organize your ultimate robot-builder’s toolbox
- Master simple safety routines that protect you whatever you’re building
Table of Contents:
INTRODUCTION xvii
What’s in This Book? xvii
Chapter 1 You, Robot Builder 1
What Are Robots? 2
Myths About Robots 4
Types of Robots 4
Anatomy of a Robot 7
Safety 9
Build a Vibrobot 10
Pizza Saver Vibrobot 11
Computer Fan Buzzbot 15
Summary 19
Chapter 2 Robots of the World 21
Watercolor Bot 22
Sparki 23
OpenROV 24
Astro Droids 25
Drink-Making Unit 26
Mars Rover Replica 27
MindCub3r 28
Ball-Balancing Robot 29
LEGO Turing Machine 30
Sir Mix-a-Bot 31
Arc-O-Matic 32
Soft-Boiled Eggbot 33
Legonardo 34
Sisyphus 35
Orbital Rendersphere 36
Clash of the Fractions 37
Lava Lamp Centrifuge 38
Quakescape 39
InMoov 40
DIWire Bender 41
Plant-Watering Robot 42
Nerf Sentry Gun 43
Yellow Drum Machine 44
Pancake Bot 45
Balloon Bot 46
Piccolo: The Tiny CNC Bot 47
Xylophone Bot 48
Flyer-Distributing Robot 49
Flowerbot 50
CoolerBot 51
Summary 52
Chapter 3 Rolling Robots 53
All About Motors 54
Choosing a Motor 55
Wheels 58
Configuration 58
Measurements 61
Tires or Treads 61
Project: DIY Wheels 65
Parts List 66
Step-by-Steps 67
The Chassis 70
Use a Pre-Made Chassis 70
Make Your Own Chassis 71
Use a Building Set 72
Powering Your Robot 72
Batteries 73
Solar Panels 74
House Current 75
Project: Building a Rolling Robot 76
Parts List 77
Step-by-Steps 78
Summary 81
Chapter 4 Going Solar 83
How Do Solar Panels Work? 84
BEAM Robotics 85
Three Hobbyist-Friendly Solar Cells 86
Flexible Film 86
Glass and Silicon 87
Plastic and Silicon 88
Prototyping Circuits 89
How to Breadboard 90
How to Solder 91
Using Solar Power to Charge Batteries 100
Project: DIY Solar Panel 101
Parts List 102
Step-by-Steps 103
Project: Making a Solar Spinner 106
Parts List 107
Step-by-Steps 107
Summary 109
Chapter 5 Controlling Your Robot 111
Autonomous 112
Infrared 112
Internet 113
Radio Control 114
Wireless 115
Microcontroller/Microcomputer 116
Motor Control Options 117
Adafruit Motor Shield 117
Schmalzhaus EasyDriver 118
Makeblock Me Motor Driver 118
Controlling a Robot with RC 119
Transmitter 120
Receiver 121
Electronic Speed Controller 121
Project: Use an Arduino Uno to Control a Robot 123
Parts List 123
Step-by-Steps 125
Programming the Arduino 127
Project Remix: Swapping Motor Boards 130
Parts List 131
Step-by-Steps 132
Code 140
Summary 141
Chapter 6 Introduction to Programming 143
What Is Programming? 144
Delay 144
For 144
If/Else 144
Loops and Interrupts 145
Switch/Case 145
Variables 145
While Loops 145
The Arduino IDE 146
The Blink Sketch 148
Finding Code Examples 149
Adapting Example Code 151
Simple Debugging Using the Serial Monitor 151
Programming and Robotics Bookshelf 152
Project: Adding an Ultrasonic Sensor to Your Robot 154
Parts List 154
Step-by-Steps 155
Code 157
Summary 159
Chapter 7 Harnessing Infrared 161
Uses for Infrared Signals 162
Passive Versus Active IR 163
IR Remote Controls 165
Adafruit Mini Remote Control 165
Sparkfun Infrared Remote Control 166
Makeblock Infrared Receiver and Remote Controller 166
Mini Project: Discover Your Remote’s IR Codes 167
Parts List 168
Step-by-Steps 169
Code 169
Project: Controlling a Robot with IR 169
Parts List 169
Step-by-Steps 170
Code 171
Project: Dart Sentry 173
Parts List 174
Step-by-Steps 175
Code 187
Operating the Dart Sentry 189
Summary 189
Chapter 8 Building Sets 191
Uses for Building Sets 192
Enclosures 192
Gantries 193
Chassis 194
Hardware Mounts 195
Furniture 196
Examples of Building Sets 197
Vex Robotics Design System (Vexrobotics.com) 197
LEGO Mindstorms and Technic Sets (Mindstorms.com) 198
Actobotics Building System (Servocity.com) 199
Makeblock (Makeblock.cc) 200
MicroRax (Microrax.com) 200
MakerBeam (Makerbeam.eu) 202
Tamiya (Tamiyausa.com) 203
Choosing a Building Set 203
Material 204
Beams 205
Motor Mounts 206
Connector Plates 207
Electronics 208
Gears 208
Wheels and Tank Treads 209
Customizing Building Sets 210
Combining Building Sets 210
Creating New Parts 214
Chassis Designs 216
LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Chassis 216
Step-by-Steps 217
Makeblock Chassis 226
Parts List 227
Step-by-Steps 228
Actobotics Chassis 234
Parts List 234
Step-by-Steps 236
Summary 245
Chapter 9 Robot-Builder’s Toolbox 247
Choose Your Toolbox 248
Size 248
Construction 249
Metal 249
Plastic 249
Cloth 250
Subdividers 251
Trays 251
Compartments 252
Belly 252
Handle 253
Four Toolboxes 254
Pelican 1460 Mobile Tool Chest 254
Stack-On 39-Bin Drawer Cabinet 255
Husky 41-inch 13-Drawer Tool Cabinet 256
Craftsman 21-inch Toolbox 257
Tools 257
Drivers and Wrenches 257
Electronics 259
Soldering 262
Measurements 263
Writing and Drawing Tools 264
CNC Tools 265
Woodworking Tools 266
Attaching 267
Cutting 269
Cables 269
Introduction to CNC Tools 270
Laser Cutter 101 270
Anatomy 271
Using the Laser Cutter 274
CNC Router 101 276
Anatomy 277
Using the CNC Router 279
3D Printer 101 280
Anatomy 280
Using the 3D Printer 282
Summary 282
Chapter 10 Manipulators 283
Types of Manipulators 284
Universal Gripper 284
Scoop 285
Tentacle 286
Pneumatic 287
Pincer 288
Humanoid Hand 288
Electromagnet 289
Claw 290
Winch 291
Pen 291
Commercial Manipulator Options 292
Makeblock Strong Robot Gripper 292
VEX Claw 293
uFactory uArm 294
Dagu Robotic Claw, MK II 294
Project: LEGO Pincer 296
Parts List 296
Step-by-Steps 298
Project: Laser-Cut Pincers 307
Parts List 307
Step-by-Steps 309
Project: Coffee Grounds Gripper 314
Parts List 315
Step-By-Steps 317
Summary 328
Chapter 11 Water Robots 329
Anatomy of a Water Robot 330
Flotation 330
Power 330
Steering 331
Propulsion 331
Control 332
Stabilization 332
Submersibles 332
Moisture 333
Waterproof Enclosures 333
Project: Floating Fanbot 334
Parts List 335
Step-by-Steps 337
Code 348
Summary 350
Chapter 12 Art Bots 351
Types of Art Bots 352
V-plotter 352
Vibration 352
Plotter 353
Eggbot 354
Sand Plotter 355
Car-Based 355
Paint Pendulum 356
Dot Matrix 357
Converting an Image to G-Code 358
Converting a Line Drawing into G-Code 361
Project: Rolling ‘Riter 362
Parts List 363
Step-by-Steps 365
Code 380
Summary 383
Glossary 385
Index 391
ONLINE (WWW.INFORMIT.COM/TITLE/9780789751492):
CHAPTER 13 Web-Interacting Robots 1
Types of Web-Interacting Robots 2
Sniffers 2
Autotweeters 2
Telepresence 2
Interactive Robots 2
Home Automation 3
Sensor Nets 3
Hardware 4
Arduino Ethernet Shield 4
Adafruit CC3000 Breakout 4
Arduino Wi-Fi Shield 5
Roving Networks WiFly 6
Microcomputers: Non-Arduino Solutions 7
BeagleBone Black (beaglebone.org) 7
Raspberry Pi (raspberrypi.org) 7
pcDuino (pcduino.com) 7
Arduino Yún (arduino.cc/en/main/ArduinoBoardYun) 7
Dart Texter 8
Parts List 9
Step-by-Steps 9
Code 12
Summary 13
TOC, 9780789751492, 10/08/2014
About the Author :
John Baichtal writes books about toys, tools, robots, and hobby electronics. He is the co-author of The Cult of LEGO (No Starch Press) and author of Hack This: 24 Incredible Hackerspace Projects from the DIY Movement; Basic Robot Building with LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0; and Arduino for Beginners (all from Que Publishing). Most recently he wrote Make: Lego and Arduino Projects for MAKE, collaborating with Adam Wolf and Matthew Beckler, and he is the author of the upcoming Que book, Building Your Own Drones: The Beginner’s Guide to UAVs and ROVs. He lives in Minneapolis, MN, with his wife and three children.
