The Robotics Primer (Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Agents series) [Paperback]

Maja J. Mataric (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 026263354X | ISBN-13: 978-0262633543 | Publication Date: August 17, 2007

The Robotics Primer offers a broadly accessible introduction to robotics for students at pre-university and university levels, robot hobbyists, and anyone interested in this burgeoning field. The text takes the reader from the most basic concepts (including perception and movement) to the most novel and sophisticated applications and topics (humanoids, shape-shifting robots, space robotics), with an emphasis on what it takes to create autonomous intelligent robot behavior. The core concepts of robotics are carried through from fundamental definitions to more complex explanations, all presented in an engaging, conversational style that will appeal to readers of different backgrounds. The Robotics Primer covers such topics as the definition of robotics, the history of robotics ("Where do Robots Come From?"), robot components, locomotion, manipulation, sensors, control, control architectures, representation, behavior ("Making Your Robot Behave"), navigation, group robotics, learning, and the future of robotics (and its ethical implications). To encourage further engagement, experimentation, and course and lesson design, The Robotics Primer is accompanied by a free robot programming exercise workbook that implements many of the ideas on the book on iRobot platforms. The Robotics Primer is unique as a principled, pedagogical treatment of the topic that is accessible to a broad audience; the only prerequisites are curiosity and attention. It can be used effectively in an educational setting or more informally for self-instruction. The Robotics Primer is a springboard for readers of all backgrounds--including students taking robotics as an elective outside the major, graduate students preparing to specialize in robotics, and K-12 teachers who bring robotics into their classrooms.Maja J Mataric [acute accent over c] is Professor of Computer Science and Neuroscience and Director of the Center for Robotics and Embedded Systems at the University of Southern California, where she is also Codirector of the Robotics Research Lab and Senior Associate Dean for research in the Viterbi School of Engineering.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A broadly accessible introduction to robotics that spans the most basic concepts and the most novel applications; for students, teachers, and hobbyists.

"As with electronics and then computers, the world is about to be transformed yet again by the age of robotics. Every age needs its technology to be adopted by smart kids and dedicated hobbyists to provide the tide of people who will carry out the transformation. The Robotics Primer is a bridge between academia and everyperson, and its readers will become the crucibles of the new age."Rodney Brooks , Director, MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab

"Dr. Mataric has made a complex subject accessible to students of all ages. Students can learn in conjunction with hands-on experience using the robot workbook available online. This primer and workbook will give the student a first glimpse at the incredible possibilities of robotics."Helen Greiner , Chairman and Co-founder of iRobot

" The Robotics Primer is a rare combinationlively and enthusiastic as well as authoritative, written by one of the leaders of the field. If this doesn"t excite a new generation of roboticists, I"m not sure what will! A remarkable contribution: a fun, straightforward, and gentle introduction to robotics, that is accessible to virtually anyone interested in gaining such knowledge. I know of no better text to bootstrap aspiring roboticists into the language, knowledge, and culture of the field."Ronald C. Arkin , Regents" Professor & Director of the Mobile Robot Laboratory, Georgia Institute of Technology

About the Author

Maja J. Mataric is Professor of Computer Science and Neuroscience and Director of the Center for Robotics and Embedded Systems at the University of Southern California, where she is also Codirector of the Robotics Research Lab and Senior Associate Dean for research in the Viterbi School of Engineering.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (August 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 026263354X
• ISBN-13: 978-0262633543
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #223,314 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Computers & Technology > Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence > Theory of Computing
  • #56 in Books > Computers & Technology > Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence > Robotics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction and Survey of Robotics, May 31, 2008

By 

John M. Linebarger "Future Anglican Postulant" (Albuquerque, NM United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Robotics Primer (Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Agents series) (Paperback)

Based on years of course notes, Dr. Mataric has written a wonderfully accessible introduction to and survey of the entire field of robotics. Much collective wisdom from the history of this emerging discipline is contained in these pages. And the on-line workbook, with hands-on programming exercises, is a huge plus. Nothing else like this book exists in the robotics literature.

However, the reader should be warned that the book is rife with misprints. It is as if the book were not edited at all. MIT Press should be embarrassed at letting this book out the door in the state that it is in. Let's hope later printings correct the legion of errors. Were it not for the constant misprints, I would have given it 5 stars.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the book I hoped it would be, February 8, 2010

By 

swmagicien (San Bruno, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Robotics Primer (Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Agents series) (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading this book but I was looking for a book that more specifically discussed programming robots. The book takes such a general approach to that subject that I can't imagine it could be very useful to anyone.

I will give the author some benefit of doubt as I did not perform any of the experiments because you need your own robot, such as an accessorized iRobot Create, in order to perform the experiments and exercises. A robot and controllers can easily set you back $300-$500.

The book does not actually get down to the fundamentals of designing and fabricating your own robot although it devotes adequate space to the discussion of the advantages of different sorts of motor drives and sensors.

It was disappointing to me that author carefully distinguishes between a physical robot and a computer emulation and devotes almost no time to robot simulations.

Most chapters have suggestions for further reading. If you don't need this book for a class, I'd suggest that you borrow a library copy, glance through it, and jot down some of those references and buy them instead.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My first Robotics book, October 11, 2011

By 

Djonygd - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Robotics Primer (Intelligent Robotics and Autonomous Agents series) (Paperback)

This is a nice book to read. It comes with a simple language and the topic is very interesting...Mine is a used copy purchased at amazon.com. I am using it and so far so well...