Build Your Own Robot Kitby Myke Predko, Ben Wirz
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
ISBN: 0071387870
Kit edition (May 1, 2002)
Check price @ amazon.com , amazon.ca , amazon.co.uk
Poptronics, June 2002
looking for a hands-on kit ... a CD ... full of projects, as well as a ready-to assemble robot, then try (it).
Book Description: A dynamic learning platform! Pre-programmed for quick enjoyment, and comes with instructions for custom applications. Customizable, no soldering required. Learn basic skills toward advanced robot building.
This incredibly simple-to-build robot will provide you with hours of enjoyment and a great platform on which to develop more sophisticated applications. The 9-volt battery-powered robot (battery not included) is driven by dual electric motors and controlled by a Microchip PIC16C505 PICmicro Microcontroller.
With two light sensors and infra-red "collision detectors" the robot is pre-programmed with the following "behaviors" built in:
Random Movement - change forward direction when an object is encountered "Photovore" - seek out light "Photophobe" - avoid light "Maze Solver" - follow wall
These behaviors can be selected along with the ability to manually control the operation of the robot by the infra-red remote control included in the kit (two AAA batteries required). With the addition of a BASIC STAMP BS2 Microcontroller (not included) customized applications can easily be built.
All of the software code for the Basic Stamp applications is included on the accompanying CD- ROM along with illustrated assembly instructions, many schematic. Block diagrams and over 100 pages of robot building basics are taken from the best-selling Robot Builder's Bonanza, 2nd edition, by Gordon McComb.
This product is designed for users aged 14 years and up. The kit includes: pre-assembled and tested PCB, robot hardware, remote control, instruction booklet, a CD-ROM containing BASIC Stamp 2 programming instructions and code.
About the Author: MYKE PREDKO (from Toronto) is a New Product Test Engineer at Celestica. He is the author of McGraw-Hill's PROGRAMMING & CUSTOMIZING BASIC STAMP, 2nd Ed.
BEN WIRZ (from Massachusetts) is the owner of Wirz Electronics. Wirz Electronics offers a wide variety of electronic components and modules to both hobbyists and OEMs.
