Insectronics : Build Your Own Walking Robot (Paperback)

by Karl Williams (Author), Karl Williams (Author) "The first walking machines in history were mechanical toys like the ones pictured in Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2..." (more)
Key Phrases: pulsin echo, piezo var, gosub infrared, Serial Backpack, System Register, General Electric (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Build the baddest bug in town! It walks on six legs, possesses artificial intelligence, utilizes state of the art technology, and is incredibly inexpensive to build. Provides step by step plans. Softcover.

From the Inside Flap
BUILD THE BADDEST BUG IN TOWN!
IT WALKS ON SIX LEGS, POSSESSES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, UTILIZES STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY, AND IS INCREDIBLY INEXPENSIVE TO BUILD!

This complete project book delivers all the step-by-step plans you need to construct your own six-legged insect-like robot that walks and actually responds to its environment. Using inexpensive off-the-shelf parts hobbyists can "build a better bug" and at the same time have loads of fun honing their knowledge of mechanical construction, programming, microcontroller use, and artificial intelligence.

Written by an award-winning robotics expert, Insectronics:
* Fully explains PIC programming, use of sensors, and robot intelligence
* Details tools and materials
* Covers obstacle avoidance, sonar room mapping, finding the best route, and maze solving
* Features an informative chapter on software that covers coordinating the servo motors for walking, monitoring infrared and sonar sensors, and controlling the output of sound and light emitting diodes
* Includes a comprehensive chapter on robotic grippers
* Explains how to implement radio remote control to operate the robot up to 1 mile away
* Shows you how to give your robot unique personalized features
* Tells you how to get it all done on a shoestring budget

If you want to the follow the lead of robotics experts who are looking to insects for structural inspiration – and have hours of amusement – Insectronics belongs in your home workshop.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics; 1 edition (January 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071412417
• ISBN-13: 978-0071412414
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #508,888 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but not great, September 7, 2003

By	Allen Kennedy "allenkll" (Belleville, NJ) - See all my reviews

Although the book seems very thorough on the surface, as you begin to build the robot described, obvious flaws come to play, Parts seem to jump at you from nowhere, dimensions seem to be incorrect, and the "debugging" leaves something to be desired.

However, it is a good resource for the first time 'bot builder, and can get you thinking in the ways of design, construction and programming.

As for the bot itself... As reproduced exactly from the books instructions there are problems structurally, and programatically, that can be overcome with some ingeuity.

So, If you are looking for a fool proof step by step to bot building, try Gordon Mccomb's Robot builder Bonanza, however if you are a step or two into the game already, then get this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!, March 15, 2003

By	Gary Scott (USA) - See all my reviews

I've been building robots for several years now and this has to be the best book on the subject of building a walking robot! Easy to follow instructions and explanation of the code make this a winner in my book! The Author has a website that allows you to easily download the code and templates for construction. This is a winner!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Book!!!, September 15, 2003

By	Frank Kennedy (USA) - See all my reviews

An excellent book if you want to build a walking robot that really works!! I've been looking for a book like this for years. The details for building the mechanics and electronics are actually very exact and accurate. I had absolutely no problems building two of these robots. This book even gives the printed circuit board design artwork for the microcontroller board circuit and the infrared sensors, which none of the other robotics books do. This book is packed full of great practical knowledge like interfacing a radio remote control system, sonar rangefinding, and an excellent robot gripper - among other things... WELL WORTH THE MONEY. I also bought Amphibionics which is also a great book with plans for four biologically inspired robots - a really cool snake robot, frog, aligator and turtle.