PIC Robotics: A Beginner's Guide to Robotics Projects Using the PIC Micro [Paperback]

John Iovine (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071373241 | ISBN-13: 978-0071373241 | Publication Date: January 2, 2004 | Edition: 1

Here's everything the robotics hobbyist needs to harness the power of the PICMicro MCU!

In this heavily-illustrated resource, author John Iovine provides plans and complete parts lists for 11 easy-to-build robots each with a PICMicro "brain.” The expertly written coverage of the PIC Basic Computer makes programming a snap -- and lots of fun.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Complete, do-it-yourself robotics projects!

SMART 'BOTS!

* Artificial vision system that uses a CCD camera to track and follow brightly colored objects
* Bi-pedal robots that walk upright
* Functional robotic arm
* Easily programmed behavior-based robots
* Complete parts lists for all projects
* Step-by-step directions for several complete projects -- inspiration for hundreds more

PUT POWERFUL, LOW-COST MICROCHIPS AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES INTO HOME-BUILT ROBOTS

Dramatic improvements in technologies and significant cost reductions in 8-bit microprocessors have spawned a renaissance in robot building. PIC Robotics, from popular electronics author John Iovine, shows amateur (and professional) electronics enthusiasts how to get in on the fun, using the power of Microchip's versatile 8-bit PIC microprocessor family to build sophisticated robots more cheaply and easily than you thought possible.

With PIC Robotics, you can build robots that:
* Use a CCD camera to capture and follow a visual target
* Walk on two legs (bi-pedal walker)
* Walk on six legs (hexapodal walker)
* Obey verbal commands (speech recognition)
* Look for and track bright light sources
* And do it inexpensively!

About the Author

John Iovine is the author of several popular TAB titles that explore the frontiers of scientific research. He has written Homemade Holograms: The Complete Guide to Inexpensive, Do-It-Yourself Holography; Robots, Androids, and Animatrons: 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build, considered a cult classic; Kirlian Photography: A Hands-On Guide; Fantastic Electronics: Build Your Own Negative-Ion Generator and Other Projects; and A Step Into Virtual Reality. Mr. Iovine has also written extensively for Popular Electronics, Nuts & Volts, Electronics Now, and other periodicals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics; 1 edition (January 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071373241
• ISBN-13: 978-0071373241
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,124,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent way to get started in PIC robotics., September 8, 2004

By 

mfan (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PIC Robotics: A Beginner's Guide to Robotics Projects Using the PIC Micro (Paperback)

I've been programming PIC Microcontrollers (with PIC Basic Pro) for a while now. They're really an invaluable tool for the modern electronics hobbyist, and the PIC Basic language couldn't be easier to write with. That being said, this book does assume you have at least some minimal knowledge of Basic, but really you could get by without it (the very point of Basic is that it's supposed to read like plain English -- which it does!), as the function of nearly every line of code is explained. The first few chapters are even dedicated to showing a complete beginner how to compile and program everything and build a basic test circuit. Very helpful if you've never worked with PICs before.

But on to the real substance of the book -- the projects! There's six complete robotics projects here; ranging from primitive light-seeking robots (that recreate some of the first robots ever to be built, back when AI was a new idea) to a bipedal walker (meaning, it actually has legs and a gait like that of a human -- it doesn't just tilt and waddle to simulate "walking" as virtually every other one of these purported "bipedal" robots do), robotic arms (made from ordinary servomotors), a six-legged walker, speech recognition and a full-color vision system. Impressive!

Another nice thing is that every one of them can be built with basic, inexpensive tools (though pre-made circuit boards and kits are available, to make it even easier). The diagrams and illustrations are clear and concise; every detail of every step is shown -- you can't go wrong.

As I mentioned, the real walking action of the bipedal walker is quite impressive, but I'd like to say more about the vision system, or the CMU Camera. This is a small camera which outputs data serially, to either your PC or a PIC Micro. In this instance, the camera is mounted on top of a three-wheel robot which can, utilizing edge detection in the PIC, actually follow a given target! This may sound complex (and, I suppose, it is), but it's explained in a very easy-to-follow manner. And it's more than just "put this part here" -- the theory is explained in terms that make it easy to understand, too. This gives you the know-how to put these concepts to use in your own projects.

Finally, to address the criticisms of other reviewers -- no, the book doesn't teach you assembly (it says right on the cover "No Assembly Language Programming Required"); but that's just it -- you don't need it! PIC Basic does the same thing, faster and easier. Do you really want to write out hundreds of lines of cryptic assembly code for what you could accomplish with just a few lines of Basic? The nominal cost is well worth it when you consider the *very* significant time savings.

If you're interested in building your own robots, this book is an excellent way to get started.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars No Assembly Language Required, February 21, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: PIC Robotics: A Beginner's Guide to Robotics Projects Using the PIC Micro (Paperback)

It wasn't mentioned in the reviews I read but I was hoping for some good Assembly language examples. Unfortunately They did not use Assembly but instead a $250 Pic-Basic program. There is a cheaper version for $100 and the Author did provide examples for both. You will also need a programmer to actually program the PIC. So if you main goal is building a Robot with Pic micro controllers without learning the Assembly language then this book is for you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Another work from Iovine that's worth skipping..., January 8, 2008

By 

Paul Ryan (Los Angeles, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PIC Robotics: A Beginner's Guide to Robotics Projects Using the PIC Micro (Paperback)

Like many of John Iovine's works with McGraw Hill- this one's definitely a no-go. I don't know when I'll finally learn my lesson buying his books- but I'll say it now- never again. Incomplete schematics, errors, and general garden variety stuff which we've al seen before, and not even that much of it. But that's only my humble opinion... -Paul