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Robot Building for Beginners 1st Edition

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David Cook (Author)
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David Cook (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 113 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-1893115446
ISBN-10: 1893115445
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There is a newer edition of this item:

Robot Building for Beginners, 2nd Edition (Technology in Action)
Robot Building for Beginners, 2nd Edition (Technology in Action)
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Editorial Reviews

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Product Details

  • Series: Technology in Action Series
  • Paperback: 600 pages
  • Publisher: Apress; 1 edition (January 18, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1893115445
  • ISBN-13: 978-1893115446
  • Product Dimensions: 7 x 1.3 x 9.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (113 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #209,929 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsJust what I've been looking for!
By J. Thurmond on March 1, 2010
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I looked around quite a bit trying to find a robot building book that would take my 14 yr old through the process in a way he could understand. David Cook delivered perfectly. Every other book I looked at seemed either too childish, or alternately, assumed a solid background in electronics. Robot Building for Beginners, like Baby Bear's porridge, is just right!

I studied philosophy in college, so can offer my son no help in building robots. I've seen this book described as a swimming pool that's 5'x5' but 25' deep. That's pretty apt. I like the extensive chapter on components - what they are, how they work - neither my son nor I knew a resistor from a diode before. Also an entire chapter on safety was great from the concerned parent perspective.

The book is long, but covers a lot of ground with very little fluff. In 10 days my son had read up to the chapter where you start building your robot - he had absorbed a ton of information, built a few basic circuits and tested/troubleshot them with a multimeter. Now he's just waiting impatiently for me to set him up with the necessary components to start building (actually he's started scavenging components from dead/unused electronics he comes across; and I'm starting to fear for my DVD player).

I don't think you'll find a better starting point for a novice.
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5.0 out of 5 starsI just built my first robot!!!
By Nick Cherney on January 29, 2004
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I'm an Electrical Engineer at U.C. I bought this book so I could learn some "real world knowledge" about the physical world instead of just theory. I only asked for (and thankfully received) a multimeter, soldering iron, and a cordless dremel drill for Christmas. After reading this book, I now remember why I chose my major--making a robot is a blast!
Being strong on the theory, I didn't learn anything in that regard. On the flip side, David Cook described the basics in a way that anyone could understand. What I really wanted to learn was to be able to put my Christmas presents to use. He spent a chapter just on the multimeter! I loved it. Also, every part of the robot was described in detail. I now know the difference between choosing motors, batteries, transistors, comparitors, diodes, potentiometers, photo-resistors, ect.
When I brought my first creation into my Electromagnetics class yesterday, I of course was asked to give a demonstration. From reading this book (to be honest a total of 3 times), I described everything about it in clear/consise detail. The only part I failed was receiving extra credit. Yes I did try :D.
I couldn't imagine a better book for beginners. There is a website that describes the robot AND the few typos caught (nothing that mattered), ways he took this idea and added a couple more in a similar project, as well as detailing the post construction of robots he's made since then. Cook goes into detail for troubleshooting a potential screw up you may make (If 'X' is happening then you probably did 'Y'). Yes I made one too--thanks for asking.
There is one part I didn't like about the project though--using an M&M's Mini tube to hold the motors. Being so close to Valentine's day, the only selection they had were PINK ones!Read more ›
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3.0 out of 5 starsA better title...Basic Electronics with a Robot Example
By Marsha SCHERZ on October 3, 2002
Format: Paperback
I don't dislike this book, but I don't find it all that useful in terms of robotic design. It does have good coverage of very basic electronics for the beginner, with crystal clear photos to show you the ropes. Don't know how to use a multimeter or know what a resistor is? This book is for you. However, if you want to know how to control, say a servo, you only get a brief paragraph telling you what one is. The book seems to do a lot of that--telling you what something does, but not giving you enough information to do something with it.
For most of the book, you get a sense that the author simply looked through an electronics catalog, selected some key parts, and wrote a brief discription of what kinds there are, and what they do. Along the way, he shows how you can use those parts to make a simple robot.
This would be a good book to accompany another more applications-based book (or online site) on electronics (e.g. Radio Shack's Forrest Mimms Enginner's Notebooks, Practical Electronics for Inventors, etc.).
In terms of robotics, unforunately, you get one simple example and that's it. Very frustrating for those who want to make something more than a simple sandwhich box that follows a line. (It's a clever little design, nevertheless).
With all bad things said, I do think the book has positives. It has many helpful hints for selecting parts, tips for prototyping, and is writen in a friendly, easy-to-read style.
For those who know nothing at all about electronics and aren't too interested in robots, but more interested in basic electronics--5 stars. For those who have more than rudimentary knowledge of electronics and looking for a variety of robots projects--1 star.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA must-have!
By Louis F on March 14, 2002
Format: Paperback
This is a terrific book. I read it as it was novel. It is written in such way that you can start from the first and go to the last page without being bored once. It is also beautifully divided so you can use it as a reference book.
David Cook did a great job while writing Robot Building for Beginners. It is perfect for an initiation to the robot building. I've read other interesting books but this one has something special: everything is entirely covered for a single project. Other books tend to present a lot of projects but can't seem to concentrate on giving complete information. Robot Building for Beginners does provide all the information you need. Each time I was wondering "well, how about that?", David Cook was answering my question the next paragraph.
There is a great amount of work in "what will a first-timer would be willing to learn after that". If you don't know anything or are willing to refresh your mind on electronics, the book is perfect. David Cook helps us getting to choose the right part, understanding what they do, how to correctly assemble the whole thing and so on. I just finish reading it and I'm ready to build my first robot knowing how to avoid the common pitfalls and how to keep my first project simple, but complete and working.
It's a perfect gift for someone who wants to build his/her first robot. Thanks to David Cook.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

good book need to order more

Published 11 days ago by john/maxmoney
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

grandson loved it

Published 26 days ago by Patricia B Cuscovitch
5.0 out of 5 starsAwesome

I just read the sample one and it was super good it help me so much I hope it helps you to.

Published 2 months ago by Hanni A. Thurn
4.0 out of 5 starsHe would have enjoyed it more if it had more illustrations

This book is informative. I was looking for books for my 8 year old grandson. He would have enjoyed it more if it had more illustrations.

Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsRobot Building for Beginners, 2nd Edition...

Robot Building for Beginners, 2nd Edition...

Published 3 months ago by Fred Saadat
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Excellent for the absolute beginner in electronics

Published 4 months ago by That Guy
3.0 out of 5 starsVery good book!

Very good book!! Be prepared to spend between $175 - $200 on parts an equipment to actually build sandwich! Read more

Published 6 months ago by Ron
2.0 out of 5 starsGood beginning, but....

This book really had my attention in the beginning! Everything is explained well for the beginner. I was excited and I planned on building a robot while I read the book. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Very good

Published 14 months ago by tony jreijiry
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat reference for beginners and newbees

excellent reference. helped me considerably

Published 16 months ago by james martel

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