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Learning Computing with Robots (Python)

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OK, first of all, I am the author. This is not a review. I am using this space to provide more detailed information for potential adopters/users.

What is a computer? A personal computer? What is a robot? A personal robot? What is computing? What is personal computing?

This book will introduce you to the world of computers, robots, and computing. You will learn that computing is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes. Robots have been in existence much longer than computers. Advances in the past few decades have brought about many changes in the way we use technology. Computers have become faster, cheaper, and smaller. The same is also tru for robots. The word "personal" is key to the design of the material in this text. Computers and robots are no longer the realm of large corporate offices and industrial manufacturing scenarios. They have become personal in many ways. You will learn in this book how a computer is far more versatile than most appliances. It can be used as an extension of your mind. In this book you will learn the basics of how a computer and a robot is controlled and how you can use these ideas to personalize your computers even further, limited only by your imagination.

This book is ideally suited for a college-level introductory computing course (widely recognized as CS1 in the computing education community). Besides the fundamentals of computing you will also learn about the program development process, basic robotics, media computation, social implications of computers and robotics, and the nature and limits of computation. Topics covered in the text provide sufficient coverage of CS1 concepts recommended by the ACM/IEEE curricular guidelines. In many respects the text goes well beyond these guidelines. We have taken efforts to make the material engaging and exciting for students.

Chapter List:
1. The World of Robots
2. Personal Robots
3. Building Robot Brains
4. Sensing From Within
5. Sensing The World
6. Insect-Like Behaviors
7. Behavior Control
8. Sights & Sounds
9. Image Processing & Perception
10. Artificial Intelligence
11. Computers & Computation
12. Fast, Cheap & Out of Control
Python Review
Myro Review

In order to learn computing using this text you will also need: a bluetooth enabled computer (Windows/MacOS/Linux); a robot (this book uses the Scribbler robot); A Fluke Lancet dongle; A bluetooth USB dongle (in case your computer is not bluetooth enabled); software (Python+Myro); and some accessories (a basic gamepad controller, Sharpie permanent markers, a flashlight, spare AA batteries, poster or large drawing paper, a carrying case, and some craft materials for decorating the robot.

For more information on this text and more details on the project see, www.roboteducation.org