Robotic Explorations: A Hands-On Introduction to Engineering Review

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(More customer reviews)The basic content of this book is excellent. It provides a readily accessible introduction to the principles of engineering. This book could easily be used as the text for a first year course in a unified engineering curriculum including Computer Science. The one flaw with this book is that it appears to have been rushed out by the publisher. Many of the page references are to the wrong pages and some of the pictures are rather blurry. Finally, the instructions for creating and downloading ICB files to incorporate assembly language modules for interrupt side programming and similar purposes needs to be reworked in a future edition. I hope that a future edition will also have a chapter on electrical design and construction techniques to compliment the chapter on mechanical techniques. I also look forward to a third chapter on sensing and possibly a second chapter on control theory. Regardless, this is overall an excellent book and should be acquired by anyone interested in small robots.

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This hands-on, introductory book is based on widely available, custom robotics materials (Handy Board, Interactive C, LEGO Technic). Covers sensors; motors, gears, and mechanism; control; handy board design; construction techniques; DC Motor; and more. Ideal as an introduction to electrical engineering or capstone design. Also appropriate for readers interested in electrical technology robotics.

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Building and Programming LEGO Mindstorms Robots Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)marion ferrari does it again! excellent addition in this series, and very in-depth explainations and complete instructions. great for the experienced builder, or anyone interested in this field.

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The kit includes:Building Robots with LEGO Mindstorms (1-928994-67-9) This best seller provides readers with a fundamental understanding of the geometry, electronics, engineering, and programming required to build your own robots. Mario and Giuli Ferrari are world-renowned experts in the field of Lego Mindstorms robotics, and in this book they share their unrivaled knowledge and expertise of robotics and provide a series of chapters detailing how to design and build the most exotic robots. Mario and Giulio also give detailed explanations of how to integrate Lego Mindstorms kits with other Lego programmable bricks such as Scout and Cybermaster, as well as with non-robotic Lego Technic models.Programming LEGO Mindstorms with Java (1-928994-55-5) This book teaches readers how to program their robotic creations and bring them to life! Until recently, the only languages available to program Lego Mindstorms were NQC, pbForth, and legOS. This is one of the first books detailing how to program Lego Mindstorms using the newly released Java Virtual Machine for Lego Mindstorm programming. What to do with all of those pieces from other sets? This book will provide the reader with all of the ideas and techniques necessary to build robots using Lego Mindstorms kits as well as Lego programmable bricks such as the RCX, as well as with non-robotic Lego Technic models.The perfect holiday gift for parents and kids alike. Building and Programming LEGO Mindstorms Robot Kit will be published in November to take full advantage of what's sure to be a huge holiday sales season for Lego Mindstorms kits and associated books. Learn robotics, programming, engineering, and geometry. With a solid understanding of these disciplines, readers will be able to build countless robots on their own.This set will include the first book available on how to program Lego Mindstorm with Java. The majority of developers working with Lego Mindstorms have a background in Java programming, and as a result will gravitate toward the language they are most familiar with.

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LEGO Mindstorms Mechatronics : Using Systems and Controls to Build Sophisticed Robots Review

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(More customer reviews)There is some useful information in this book, but getting it out is like cracking walnuts. The book is terribly written, maybe the 2nd worst book I've read. There are some gross typos, left out parts of sentences, wrong diagrams, multiple un- or poorly-defined terms and abbreviations. The writing style is dreadful. I find myself re-reading some paragraphs several times to figure out what he's saying. Other paragraphs could be skipped altogether as he relys too literally on the advice "tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, tell them what you told them." That may be fine in an oral presentation. In writing it's redundant and annoying. Just tell me and tell me well. Skip the overture and encore. Nevertheless, I'm buying the companion prequel "Mindstorms Interfacing" because this book references that one a lot. Many of the web references are no longer active. Some of the free software referenced is no longer available online, but FORTUNATELY some is on the enclosed CD-ROM. A few nuggets of gold may be worth digging through tons of rock to find. I'm not sure yet whether this book will be worth the dig, I'm only 1/4 throught it.


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This title is the perfect tutorial for learning the mechanical, software, and electronic systems of LEGO Mindstorms and other hybrid robots. It focuses on "hot technology" topics: electronics, embedded systems, object-oriented technology, software development, and robotics. It includes projects for each concept, including a LEGO camera for the remote control vision chapter, an interface for a robotic warning system, and a tele-operated robot. The CD includes: complete computer programs for controlling the robots; circuit simulation models; and diagnostic tools.

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Extreme NXT: Extending the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT to the Next Level (Technology in Action) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this book to get a better idea of how to safely interface my own circuits to the Lego Mindstorms NXT. In my opinion, you can't find a better book for this purpose. "Extreme NXT" contains the pinouts and proper usage of the NXT motor and sensor ports. It also provides a large number of the most useful homebrew sensor implementations, right down to parts lists containing part numbers for common component suppliers like Digikey and Radio Shack.
My background is in engineering, with an emphasis in control systems. The first book I read in the field of hobbiest robotics was "Mobile Robots: Inspiration to Implementation" (Jones and Flynn). In those days, the 6811's were king for these sorts of projects. I spent many a happy day with my MIT Handyboard (a simple 6811 robot controller board). Things have come a long way. Nowadays NXT is available, and this book is the modern day equivalent to that excellent text for those who want to dig in and find out what the NXT is capable of. The book is written in a format that is easy to understand for the novice, but also supplies plenty of content to allow the more advanced user to be able to push the NXT envelope. The organization is superb, commonly used charts and tables are easily found. I have been finding myself referring most often to the pinout tables for the NXT connectors, and these are very conveniently found towards the front of the book.
Chapters are broke down into sensor and output types, starting with the more basic and easily contructed passive sensors up to more advanced and expandable I2C sensors. Motor control, h-bridges, etc are also covered in detail. Both the construction of the circuits, and the NXT code to run them, are covered. Code is provided in it's most basic form first, NXT-G, which every NXT user will be familiar with. Examples proceed to more complex compilers, such as NBC, for sensors or circuits that are better suited to those implementations.
The appendix provides complete source code listings, useful websites and links categorized by chapter. There is also a great tutorial on prototyping with breadboards and perfboard for the uninitiated. With this book, any skill level in electronics should be enough to do some cool things with the NXT kit.
This book will become a very useful addition to any hobby robotics library. For me, it will be the goto book for designing circuits to safely interface to the Lego NXT. Highly recommended!

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Extreme NXT: Extending the LEGO MIDSTORMS NXT to the Next Level is for intermediate-level users of NXT who would like to advance their capabilities by learning some of the basics of electronics. Plenty of examples are provided, and easy-to-follow instructions are included for building over 15 different sensors.

This makes a great reference for the NXT hardware interfaces. Examples even come complete with multiple, alternative NXT languages. The book is also abundant with illustrations.

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LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Hacker's Guide Review

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(More customer reviews)I was GREATLY disappointed, for the following reasons:
1) Most of the hacks in this book are lame. (Sorry, a board game using Lego pieces does NOT count as a hack).
2) There's very little in this book about the Mindstorms NXT. The first 79 pages of the book don't address the NXT at all, and the rest of the book only addresses the NXT tangentially, in most cases using only five or six NXT parts to build the hack. (Some hacks don't use NXT parts at all).
3) The book seems to have had a "first-to-market" strategy, in order to make a quick buck and to take advantage of the interest surrounding the NXT.
Rock-bottom message: it's a slapdash, hodgepodge assortment of stuff that will not advance your knowledge of the NXT one iota.
Save your cash and get another book.

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Build and Program Over 20 Challenging Design Projects in Just 30 Minutes Eachwith the New Generation of LEGO® MINDSTORMS®

More powerful and intuitive than ever, LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT is a new robotics toolset that enables robot enthusiasts and hobbyists to build and program all kinds of projects. The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT Hacker's Guide explores this new generation of LEGO MINDSTORMS, providing a collection of projects, how-to expertise, insider tips, and over 500 illustrations to help readers become expert NXT hackers.

This cutting-edge guide describes new advances that make LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT such a great robotics resource. The book explains the all-new NXT intelligent brick…the interactive servo motors with rotation sensors that align speed for precise control…the ultrasonic sensor that allows robots to "see" by responding to movement…the improved light and touch sensors that let robots detect color and feel…and much more. The LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT Hacker's Guide features:
Expert, insightful commentary by a member of the LEGO MINDSTORMS Developer Program
A hands-on account of the new technologies and expanded sensor capabilities of LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT
A collection of 10 hacking projects with step-by-step instructions for creating things ranging from solar power to ZigBee® technology to tank tread feet ["projects" appears twice.]
A portfolio of 12 exciting design projects featuring R. Buckminster Fuller's Geodesic Dome, Rem Koolhaas' Seattle Central Library, and the world's first NXT wristwatch
Complete disclosure about a "secret" game that is hidden inside every LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT kit
An in-depth guide to the NXT programming language
A special LEGO factory kit offer available only for readers of this book

Inside This Groundbreaking NXT Reference
• Your First Robot • Stupid RCX Tricks • Save Your RIS • As Smart as a Brick • MOVE IT! With Servo Motors • Hmm, I Sense Something • Yes, But I Don't Know How to Program • Testing, Testing; Oh, Trouble Shoot • Katherine's Best Hacking Projects • Katherine's Design Fun House • NXT Programming Language Guide • NXT Elements • NXT Resources

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10 Cool LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System 2 Projects: Amazing Projects You Can Build in Under an Hour Review

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(More customer reviews)Once again Syngres has put together a top notch team of Lego builders. The robots in here are incredible to say the least. I was amazed to see that CS Soh had a hand in this book as I've been a big fan of his LEGO work on the web for some time. I just finished building all of the robots in the prequel to this book for the Star Wars Dark side lego kit when I saw this become available. These are all top notch robots built by people who know their lego robots. They don't beat around the bush-they give you step by step instructions for buidling these robots. They go one step beyond the first book by giving you alternate building instructions for download. I'm going to use this in my high school robotics class. Top notch.

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LEGO MINDSTORMS lets you design and program robots that can do just about anything!The LEGO MINDSTORMS RIS 2.0 is the core set for all MINDSTORMS users, that lets users design and program working robots - limited only by their imagination. Initially designed for users 12 and up, LEGO MINDSTORMS has taken off with LEGO enthusiasts of all ages.10 Cool LEGO MINDSTORMS RIS 2.0 Projects: Amazing Projects You Can Build in Under an Hour provides step-by-step instructions and detailed illustrations for users of all skill levels and proficiencies.From out of the box to up and running in less than an hour. 8-page color insert. A color insert illustrates the complete projects in full-detail.Specifically targeted at new users of the LEGO MINDSTORMS RIS 2.0.

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Building Robots with LEGO Mindstorms NXT Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is just fantastic. Starts out with the basics for building strong stable robots, and moves on to more complex ideas. Great examples of robots throughout the book which will provide ideas for building your own masterpiece.
It doesn't have step by step instructions, and is more of an ideas book for NXT enthusiasts.
I'd recommend this for your home or Robotics club library.


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The Ultimate Tool for MINDSTORMS ManiacsThe new MINDSTORMS kit has been updated to include a programming brick, USB cable, RJ11-like cables, motors, and sensors. This book updates the robotics information to be compatible with the new set and to show how sound, sight, touch, and distance issues are now dealt with. The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT and its predecessor, the LEGO MINDSTORMS Robotics Invention System (RIS), have been called "the most creative play system ever developed." This book unleashes the full power and potential of the tools, sensors, and components that make up LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT. It also provides a unique insight on newer studless building techniques as well as interfacing with the traditional studded beams. Some of the world's leading LEGO MINDSTORMS inventors share their knowledge and development secrets. You will discover an incredible range of ideas to inspire your next invention. This is the ultimate insider's look at LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT system and is the perfect book whether you build world-class competitive robots or just like to mess around for the fun of it.Featuring an introduction by astronaut Dan Barry and written by Dave Astolfo, Invited Member of the MINDSTORMS Developer Program and MINDSTORMS Community Partners (MCP) groups, and Mario and Guilio Ferrari, authors of the bestselling Building Robots with LEGO Mindstorms, this book covers:Understanding LEGO GeometryPlaying with GearsControlling MotorsReading SensorsWhat's New with the NXT?Building StrategiesProgramming the NXTPlaying Sounds and MusicBecoming MobileGetting Pumped: PneumaticsFinding and Grabbing ObjectsDoing the MathKnowing Where You AreClassic ProjectsBuilding Robots That WalkRobotic AnimalsSolving a MazeDrawing and WritingRacing Against TimeHand-to-Hand CombatSearching for Precision*Complete coverage of the new Mindstorms NXT kit*Brought to you by the DaVinci's of LEGO*Updated edition of a bestseller

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10 Cool LEGO Mindstorms Ultimate Builder Projects: Amazing Projects You Can Build in Under an Hour Review

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(More customer reviews)The following review was written by Ben, one of my 4th graders. He has used this book in class to build some of the robots:
Pros: cool robots, nice designs, easy to find most pieces
Cons: Takes a while to build them, sometimes they don't work
This book has very cool robots but I don't like the directions because it just shows you a picture of the how it is supposed to look, but doesn't give step by step instructions. My favorite robot is the Sumo Bug. This robot is basic and cool. This book includes 10 robots including the WideBot, Sumo Bug, hopper, HunterBot, Nessie, Nellie, Domino bot, Draw bridge, Candy Wrapper Compactor, and the Robo-Hominid.
All of the robots are fairly easy to build. You will find most of the pieces easy to find. However there are some pieces that might be hard to find. On the Widebot's base you will need a piece that is not included in the blue Lego Mindstorms 2.0 kits. There is also a piece on the grabber motor on the Hunter bot that does not come with the kits. Over all I give this book four stars.

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LEGO MINDSTORMS lets you design and program robots that can do just about anything!You've just purchased the LEGO MINDSTORMS Ultimate Builder Kit. Now what? Overwhelmed by the creative possibilities? The Builder Kit is targeted towards those who want to become "master LEGO builders." 10 Cool LEGO MINDSTORM Ultimate Builder Projects: Amazing Projects You Can Build in Under an Hour provides step-by-step instructions and detailed illustrations for users of all skill levels and proficiencies. This MINDSTORMS kit features many rare parts, a spare motor, a turntable, special gears, transparent beams, and even a pneumatics system-parts that can be confusing and that will be new to many LEGO builders. 10 Cool LEGO MINDSTORM Ultimate Builder Projects teaches readers how to incorporate these new features into their creations as they build 10 unique robots.From out of the box to up and running in less than an hour. This book teaches users how to create 10 amazing projects in under an hour.8-page color insert. An eight-page color insert will illustrates the complete projects in full-detail.Specifically targeted to both new users of the LEGO MINDSTORMS and experienced MINDSTORMS fans.

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Building Robots With Lego Mindstorms : The Ultimate Tool for Mindstorms Maniacs Review

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(More customer reviews)I am not ashamed to admit that I am 28-going-on-29 and I absolutely love this book. It is very well written and highly detailed. As a Mehanical Engineer with 6+ years work experience I was certain that this book wouldn't live up to the expectations that the first few pages that I read in the book store led me to develop. Was I wrong!! This book's simplified expanation of engineering concepts is unmatched. From Lego block geometry to gearing setup and programming. This book has it all if you'd like to go beyond the few missions that the mindstorm kit comes with. Don't be mistaken this book has no step-by-step instructions for building robots. It only introduces "snippet" to get your creative "juices" flowing. My understanding of Legos and their use has been greatly enhanced. To make things even better, the authors includes useful information on other Lego parts that are not included with mindstorm that are very important, i.e. light sensors, hydraulics, etc. If you are looking for a reference book to help you build better Lego creations, this book is it!!

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Lego robots! Mindstorms are sweeping the world and fans need to learn how to programme them Lego Mindstorms are a new generation of Lego Robots that can be manipulated using microcomputers, light and touch sensors, an infrared transmitter and CD-ROMs. Since Lego launched Lego Mindstorms in late 1998 sales have skyrocketed - with no sign of slowing down. Mindstorms have captured the imagination of adults and children alike, creating a subculture of Mindstorm enthusiasts around the world. The kits are now a staple part of engineering and computer science classes at many high profile Universities.Building Robots with Lego Mindstorms provides readers with a fundamental understanding of the geometry, electronics, engineering, and programming required to build your own robots. Mario and Giulio Ferrari are world-renowned experts in the field of Lego Mindstorms robotics, and in this book they share their unrivaled knowledge and expertise of robotics as well as provide a series of chapters detailing how to design and build the most exotic robots. Mario and Giulio also give detailed explanations of how to integrate Lego Mindstorms kits with other Lego programmable bricks such asScout and Cybermaster,as well as with non-robotic Lego Technics models.

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The Lego Mindstorms NXT Zoo An Unofficial, Kid-Friendly Guide to Building Robotic Animals with the Lego Mindstorms NXT Review

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(More customer reviews)Here are some of my own models taken from the book. I hope you enjoy them.

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Whether you're just beginning with your LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT set or are already an expert, you'll be inspired by these animal-like models that walk, crawl, hop, and roll!
The first part of the book introduces you to the NXT kit and reviews the parts you'll need in order to begin building. Next, you'll learn how to program with the NXT-G programming language, including how to make miniprograms called My Blocks that you can use to build larger programs. Finally, you'll learn how to build each robot and program it to act like its real animal cousins.

Learn to build and program the following robots:

Ribbit, a jumping frog
Bunny, a hopping rabbit
Sandy, a walking camel
Spiderbot, an eight-legged spider that avoids objects and walks forward and backward
Snout, a walking alligator that opens and closes its jaws
LEGOsaurus, a four-legged, plodding dinosaur
Pygmy, a walking elephant that raises and lowers its head
Polecat, a skunk on wheels that lifts its tail and shoots "darts"
Strutter, a peacock on wheels that turns and flutters its tail feathers

Troubleshooting tips help you avoid problems like misarranged gears and incorrect programming, while a list of Internet resources is included to help guide you in further exploration with the NXT. Teachers and home educators will appreciate an appendix with helpful suggestions for using the models in the classroom.

The models in this book have been tested repeatedly -- and built successfully -- by novice builders, so all you have to do is follow the directions and watch them go. Now, let the building begin! (Note: These specific models require additional NXT/TECHNIC parts. Check out the part lists at thenxtzoo(DOT)com.)

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Jin Sato's LEGO MINDSTORMS: The Master's Technique Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a very well written book. You can tell from the text that Mr. Sato is an expert at Mindstorms.
Unfortunately, the book covers chapter after chapter of project parts and programming code that do not ship with the $200 LEGO Mindstorms: Robotics Invention System 2.0 718 piece kit. If you are really into Mindstorms and want to hand-code your programs outside the supplied GUI interface using downloaded languages, this is a great book. But, if you just purchase the Robotics Invention System 2.0 kit, then this book is not going to help much unless you download more software from non-lego web sites, and purchase even more lego hardware. I returned the book.

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