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

Jamie Samans (Author)

Book Description

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

You’ll loveThe Robosapien Companion: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks whether you’re a robotics expert or beginner. And whether you own a Robosapien or not, you’ll learn about the workings and theory of this fun robot. An owner of several Robosapiens himself, author Jamie Samans covers everything from basics like diagnosing and testing your new Robosapien, to advanced topics like hacking and modifications. He thoroughly covers what he calls the "curiosity and creativity" of this famous bot.

The book functions as both a practical user guide and an interesting read about the theory behind the machine: BEAM robotics (BEAM stands for biology, electronics, aesthetics, and mechanics). You’ll learn about Robo's 67 unique functions, and get the full scoop on the line of Robosapiens: the Robopet, the Roboraptor, and the bipedal Robosapien V2. By the books end, you’ll come to master your V1 or become fully prepared for the exciting upgrades included in V2.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jamie Samans has been extremely active in the Robosapien community since July 2004 (the time of Robosapien's U.S. release). His hack submission was published in an issue of Servo, which asked him to write a series of articles on advanced hacking techniques for publication.

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: #359,694 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Computers & Technology > Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence > Robotics

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
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Amazon Verified Purchase

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.