The Robosapien Companion: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks (Technology in Action) [Paperback]

Jamie Samans (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1590595262 | ISBN-13: 978-1590595268 | Publication Date: August 26, 2005 | Edition: 1

This book is based on the bestselling Robosapien, and will be applicable for both the current version and the forthcoming version 2. Geared towards both novice and experienced owners, Samans shows the reader how to start working with and modifying the Robosapien straight out of the box, while giving an introduction to general robotics. The hacks taught within are inexpensive to complete and don’t require advanced electronics skills; but will surely entertain.

The Robosapien Companion provides background information on general robotics, including Mark Tilden’s theories of B.E.A.M. robotics and how it relates to Robosapien; detailed discussion and exploration of the various program modes; exclusive information on the forthcoming Robosapien Version 2; and tips that both explain the theory behind and show how to hack the Robosapien.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jamie Samans is currently doing freelance photography, writing, and technical consulting. He recently won first place in Servo magazine’s worldwide "hack-a-sapien" contest and has been extremely active in the Robosapien community since July of 2004 (U.S. release). His hack submission was published in the January issue of Servo, as well as several of his photographs. He also contributed the photography for the cover of the January issue of Servo. Servo has also asked him to write a series of articles on advanced hacking techniques for publication in 2005.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 1 edition (August 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590595262
• ISBN-13: 978-1590595268
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #846,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars more than a toy; is it a tool?, September 7, 2005

By 

W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Robosapien Companion: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks (Technology in Action) (Paperback)

There have been numerous specialised books on robotics, going back decades. Almost always from a research perspective, and dealing with once-off custom designs. Yet in the last 2 years, a toy robot, called Robosapien, has proved wonderfully popular in the mass market. Samans shows why Robosapien can be considered more than a toy. Perhaps even a tool for advancing robotics.

The book blends two themes. The predominant one is how to modify your Robosapien. Samans explains the deliberately extensible nature, which appeals to many tinkerers. It is rare, indeed, for a mere toy to be so open. Typically, a toymaker locks down the toy, and might even sue any hacker with the gumption to publicly tweak the toy. But here, Robosapien's maker [WowWee] takes the completely opposite tack. The book documents some of the numerous ways to indulge your tinkering. Notably including using your personal computer as a controller.

But the book also explores another theme. It uses Robosapien as a case study of a different approach to robotics. Designed around BEAM - biology, [analog] electronics, aesthetics and mechanics. The idea is to seek inspiration from biological evolution, since the best ideas may well have been tried out and found successful in nature. Then, these are reimplemented in mechanical form, preferably using analog electronics to control the functions. Instead of having a master CPU that has code to handle every possible contingency, which is impossible.

The first theme turns Robosapien into a seriously cool hacker's dream. The second theme turns the book into somewhat of a textbook, that may well be more persuasive than many robotics tomes.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must - have book for Robosapiens fans....!!!, October 23, 2005

By 

Felix Alomar - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Robosapien Companion: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks (Technology in Action) (Paperback)

Honestly I have not finished reading this book, but I have enjoyed every page of it that I decided to give it a well deserved review. Very well written, simple, and enjoyable. This book goes from the very beginning, history and development of the Robosapien, interviews with Mark Tilden (Robosapien creator),from packaging of the robot, tips, tricks, and ways to Hacking it, with lot of black & white pictures of the robot and its internal parts. The book also give a preview of the Robosapien online community with info and resources, and insights for the new Robosapien v2. If you own a Robosapien or going to buy one, you owe this book to yourself.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a pleasant surprise, January 7, 2006

By 

Sara Morgan Rea "Artificial Intelligence (AI)... (Baton Rouge, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Robosapien Companion: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks (Technology in Action) (Paperback)

I bought a RoboSapien about 8 months ago. I tell people that I got it for my kids, but I just couldn't resist it - it looked so cute. Anyway, I played with it for a few hours and then got bored with it. It has spent the last 8 months collecting dust on a shelf.

Yesterday, I happened across this book at B&N and have been reading it ever since. Way to go Jamie! The shell of this thing totally threw me off and I never thought to crack it open. I like the mods you made - very practical and I am strongly considering adding the camera so I can check on my home when I am on vacation - or maybe spy on my kids.

Very good book - easy to read - really cool subject - I highly recommend it.