Robot Companions: MentorBots and Beyond [Paperback]

E. Oliver Severin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071422129 | ISBN-13: 978-0071422123 | Publication Date: October 28, 2003 | Edition: 1

This work teaches how to build your own robot for practical uses such as companionship, supervision of elderly, tutoring and doing household chores. It explores enabling technologies such as mobility, voice communication, touch, sight, and smell response. One full chapter covers how to build your own MentorBot from a kit as well as separate parts.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

MORE THAN TOYS OR INTELLIGENT APPLIANCES -- MECHANICAL FRIENDS AND VALUED ASSISTANTS

Inside Robot Companions you'll find all the details, plans, and information you need to make a robot partner part of your daily life, at a price you can afford. Author E. Oliver Severin, originator of some of the technologies that make robots friendly, useful, and educational, shows you how to find or build your own robot helpmate -- either from commercial kits or an assembly of separate, off-the-shelf parts.

With Robot Companions, you'll learn how to build your own robot for purposes such as companionship, supervision of the elderly, tutoring the young, doing household chores, and much more. The book delves into essential enabling technologies such as mobility, voice, communications, touch, sight, and smell response so you'll understand the mechanics behind form, function, and "personality."

If you're looking for an industrious mechanical someone to help with the housework, care for the kids, even watch over aging parents without complaint, Robot Companions belongs on your shelf!

ENTER THE AMAZING WORLD OF FRIENDLY 'BOTS

* Facial expressions and responses to voice
* Artificial Intelligence and meaningful response
* Educational, mentoring, and minding abilities
* The fantastic future of companionable 'bots!
* Technologies that make them work
* Services and tasks they can perform
* Plans for building your own
* Kits and off-the-shelf 'bots
* Surprising affordability

About the Author

E. Oliver Severin is the founder and President of AcroTek, Inc., a company that creates and builds technology solutions. In 1982, Mr. Severin's company merged with RB Robots, becoming the largest producer of mobile robots in the United States. Pioneers in the mobile robot industry, the firm spawned major innovations in digital voice, lifting mechanics, security, and educational robots. Mr. Severin is the creater of several mobile robot innovations and the author of a number of white papers related to robots and the robot industry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 307 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics; 1 edition (October 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071422129
• ISBN-13: 978-0071422123
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,117,784 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The integration of robots with elder care services, February 17, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Robot Companions: MentorBots and Beyond (Paperback)

Due to the dramatic shift in demographics that is expected to occur as the Baby-Boomers enter their retirement years, it will be a virtual necessity to incorporate robots in providing care to the aging population. This book provides a strong base of knowledge on the subject of robots, and should be considered required reading for any healthcare provider network that is seeking to prepare for the future.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Info for the novice or the technician, February 18, 2004

By 

Edwin S. Keasler (Littleton, Co USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Robot Companions: MentorBots and Beyond (Paperback)

This book is a very complete compendium of the state-of-the-art in robotics. Today's major projects and their objectives and challenges are discussed in terms that both the laymen and the technician can appreciate.

The author defines a new term and concept for robotics - the "mentorbot" - which could well lead to a new direction in robotic development.

Well worth reading for anyone interested in robotics in general, or for the technician looking to understand the challenges of robotic implementation.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mentorbots: Concepts and Applicatons, December 13, 2003

By 

"gusolson" (Rancho Mirage, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Robot Companions: MentorBots and Beyond (Paperback)

Interesting subject, well written and easy to for the non-engineer understand but not "dumbed down". The book explains the concept of robot companions and their uses. It reviews the current products available and even gives ideas and specifications on how to build your own companion robot. A good read for persons interested in technology and robots.