[...]... gear trains; walking robot systems; special robot locomotion systems Practical Robotics Projects Over a half-dozen step-by-step projects for building wheels and legged robot platforms; arm systems; gripper design Sensors and Navigation Speech synthesis and recognition; sound detection; robot eyes; smoke, flame, and heat detection; collision detection and avoidance; ultrasonic and infrared ranging;... McGraw-Hill is behind me For technical information and ideas regarding the material in the book, I would like to recognize Ben Wirz, who has an amazing amount of background in robotics and has been the co-designer on the Tab Electronics robot kits; Joe Jones, a very special robot designer and author; and Ken Gracey of Parallax who seems to have dedicated himself to making robots easy for everyone I want... Parts and Sources B.2 General Robotics Kits and Parts B.3 Electronics/Mechanical: New, Used, and Surplus B.4 Microcontrollers, Single-Board Computers, Programmers B.5 Radio Control (R/C) Retailers B.6 Servo and Stepper Motors, Controllers B.7 Ready-Made Personal and Educational Robots B.8 Construction Kits, Toys, and Parts B.9 Miscellaneous 705 706 707 709 712 713 713 714 714 714 Appendix C Robot Information... creation the power of voice and sound effects so that it can talk to you, and you can talk back Remote control How to operate and train your robot using wired and wireless remote control Computer control How to use and program a computer or microcontroller for operating a robot Most important, you will gain new insights into problem solving and looking at devices, parts, and materials from a different... staple for both beginners and experts alike and is crammed with material and knowledge that come from a large number of disciplines Undertaking this effort required a lot of support from a variety of different individuals My editor, Judy Bass, who had the confidence that I could update RBB and do a credible job of it, and who kept her sense of humor and interest despite all the emails, questions, and. .. configuration you desire The robot you create will be uniquely yours and yours alone The Robot Builder’s Bonanza is not so much a textbook on how to build robots but a treasure map The trails and paths provided between these covers lead you on your way to building one or more complete and fully functional robots You decide how you want your robots to appear and what you want your robots to do xxx INTRODUCTION... plastic, wood, and aluminum Locomotion engineering How motors, gears, wheels, and legs are used to propel your robot over the ground Constructing robotic arms and hands How to use mechanical linkages to grasp and pick up objects Sensor design How sensors are used to detect objects, measure distance, and navigate open space INTRODUCTION • • • xxix Adding sound capabilities Giving your robot creation... Fixes Implementing and Releasing the Solution 39.3 From Here Chapter 40—Setting Up Workshops, Demonstrations, and Competitions 40.1 Choosing the Venue 40.1.1 Venue Needs 40.2 Competition Events 40.2.1 Scrounging for Prizes 40.3 Alerting the Public and the Media 40.4 From Here Appendix A—Further Reading A.1 Hobby Robotics A.2 LEGO Robotics and LEGO Building A.3 Technical Robotics, Theory, and Design A.4... parts source for your own creations I.4 How to Use This Book Robot Builder’s Bonanza is divided into seven main parts Each section covers a major component of the common personal or hobby (as opposed to commercial or industrial) robot The sections are as follows: 1 Robot Basics What you need to get started; setting up shop; how and where to buy robot parts 2 Robot Platform Construction Robots made of... wood, and metal; working with 3 4 5 6 7 common metal stock; converting toys into robots or using other mechanical odds and ends to create robots Computers and Electronic Control An explanation of computer operation; introduction to programming; interfacing computers and controllers to electronic devices Power, Motors, and Locomotion Using batteries; powering the robot; working with DC, stepper, and servo . 11 2.4 The Body of the Robot 12 2.4.1 Skeletal Structures 12 2.4.2 Frame Construction 12 iii For more information about this title, click here 2.4.3 Size and Shape 13 2.4.4 Flesh and Bone 13 2.5 Power. 18 2.7 Arms and Hands 19 2.7.1 Stand-Alone or Built-On Manipulators 20 2.7.2 Grippers 20 2.8 Sensory Devices 20 2.9 Output Devices 21 2.10 Smart versus Dumb Robots 21 2.11 The Concept of Robot Work. available at special quantity discounts to use as premiums and sales promotions, or for use in corporate training programs. For more information, please contact George Hoare, Special Sales, at