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

by Jamie Samans (Author)
Key Phrases: lean backward, diagnostic mode, dance demo, Mark Tilden, Lean Forward, Right Arm Out (more...)

4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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, or are anticipating the V2 release, 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 upcoming line of Robosapiens: the Robopet, the Roboraptor, and the bipedal Robosapien V2. By the book's end, you'll come to master your V1 or become fully prepared for the exciting upgrades planned for V2.

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 the January issue of Servo, which 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 (July 10, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590595262
ISBN-13: 978-1590595268
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #359,984 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in this category: (What's this?)
#95 in Books > Computers & Internet > Computer Science > Artificial Intelligence > Robotics

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!

Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
lean backward, diagnostic mode, dance demo, turn right, passive dynamic walking, international caveman speech, sonic sensor program, advanced programming examples, reflex programming, main processor board, hip motors, forearm shell, reflex sensors, limiter switch, listen mode, hacking projects, sensor programs, chest shell, low beep, arm reset, hobby knife, programming modes, touch sensors, turn button, left sensors

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Mark Tilden, Lean Forward, Right Arm Out, Left-Hand Strike, Right-Hand Strike, Program Play, Left Arm Out, Right Arm Down, Tilt Body Left, Tilt Body Right, Left Forearm, Talk Back, Mini Robosapien, Right Forearm, Robosapien Dance Machine, All Demo, Sharper Image Robosapien, Left-Hand Thump, New York Toy Fair, Right-Hand Thump, Walk Forward, Hong Kong, Left Sensor Program, Left Arm Down, Los Alamos

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews

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4 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.3 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 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 (TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

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.

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13 of 13 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)

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.

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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

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.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars ROBOSAPIEN MUST HAVE GUIDE
This is a good book to have for ur robot, has a lot of neat ideas and ways to modify your robosapien and make it that much more fun to play with

Published on June 7, 2007 by NTHYISOFTHWOLF

1.0 out of 5 stars This book is a dud!!!!
I was very upset when I received this book. This book does not help in the least with your robot. It is more the maker of the robot just cursing and telling about how you can... Read more

Published on January 18, 2007 by Michael Bridges

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Framework for Exploring
Having read a number of robotics books, what struck me first was how well structured Robosapien Companion is. Read more

Published on January 9, 2006 by J. W. Goerlich

5.0 out of 5 stars The Robosapien Companion
Top marks for a well written and informative guide for the young and not so young at heart.

Published on October 16, 2005 by Peter J. Varley

› See all 7 customer reviews...

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