Basic, practical knowledge on how to build an amateur homemade robot is provided in this book. The robot described and built is battery-powered, autonomous, and about the size of a lunchbox. According to the publisher, “This book is aimed at teenagers and adults who have an avid interest in science and dream of building household explorers. No formal engineering education is assumed.”
Cook provides detailed descriptions and useful suggestions at each step of the development process. In particular, chapters 1 to 3 offer an introduction to basic robot elements and tools, as well as suggestions for safety measures and necessary equipment. Chapter 4 explains in detail the digital multimeter, an important piece of measurement equipment, while chapter 5 describes the numbering system and abbreviations that are common in robotics. Chapter 6 introduces the “Sandwich,”--the robot featured in the book--and sets the project goals. Chapters 7 through 20 describe in detail all of the parts, components, and circuits (such as batteries, resistors, leads, indicator circuits, boards, jumpers, transistor switches, comparators, DC motors, wheels, and couplers), as well as the procedures and tests to follow in order to construct the robot. Chapters 21 to 23 describe the soldering materials and equipment required, and the process of soldering to connect the joint materials to the desired points on a board. Chapter 24 presents some common approaches to developing robot bodies and explains how to create a body framework for the specific robot described in the book. Chapter 25 provides some simple diagnostic tests to run prior to launching the robot, and chapter 26 highlights some of the components, challenges, and contests that may be of interest to readers.
I am convinced that by the time readers reach the end of this book, they “will have a solid amateur base of understanding so that [they] can begin creating [their] own robots.” The author not only provides a detailed, step-by-step description of simple robot development, but also encourages the reader to make discoveries on his or her own and to explore the world of amateur robotics.
