Robot Building for Beginners (Technology in Action)

“I wrote this book because I love building robots. I want you to love building robots, too. It took me a while to learn about many of the tools and parts in amateur robotics. Perhaps by writing about my experiences, I can give you a head start.”  — David Cook Robot Building for Beginners, Second Edition is an update of David Cook’s best-selling Robot Building for Beginners. This book continues its aim at teenagers and adults who have an avid interest in science and dream of building household explorers. No formal engineering education is assumed. The robot described and built in this book is battery powered and about the size of a lunchbox. It is autonomous. That is, it isn’t remote controlled. You’ll begin with some tools of the trade, and then work your way through prototyping, robot bodybuilding, and eventually soldering your own circuit boards. By the book’s end, you will have a solid amateur base of understanding so that you can begin creating your own robots to vacuum your house or maybe even rule the world! What you’ll learn How to build a robot from scratch Where to obtain parts and tools to get you started How to build the brain—the intelligence—using the motherboard How to create the body and become a Dr. Frankenstein How to get your robot moving and ruling Who this book is for 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. Table of Contents Welcome Robot Inventor! Where to Obtain Tools and Parts Safety Digital Multimeter Numbers and Units Robot Line-Following Nine-Volt Batteries Clips and Test Leads Resistors LEDs Power On! Solderless Prototyping Solderless Breadboard Setup Variable Resistors Comparators Transistor Switches DC Motors Adding Gearhead Motors Wheels Coupler Soldering Equipment Soldering and Connecting The Motherboard Body Building Launching the Line-Follower Encore Appendix