Robotics

We think of robots as being staggeringly complex machines, but they don't have to be. You can create an honest-to-goodness robot with a few simple analog electronic components, some DC motors or servomotors, and a power source.

What is a "Robot?" ¶ 

In Gareth Branwyn's 2004 book, The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Building Robots, he contacted a number of prominent robot scientists, engineers, and hobbyists, and asked them to define the word "robot." No two definitions were the same. But from them in aggregate, a widely-applicable definition was boiled down:

Any machine that senses its environment (in some way), organizes a reaction (in some way), and then executes it (based on the sensor input), can be considered a robot.

Robots that comply with this design are usually said to have a "sense/plan/act" architecture. The extremely basic BEAM robots don't do any digital computation, build no map of their world, and perform their actions based on a near-direct connection to their sensors (usually mediated by oscillators). They are said to have a "sense/act" design. But one can argue that even here, the simple oscillators -- analog ICs passing a signal back and forth -- act as a sort of nervous system. In fact, in BEAM parlance, they're called a "nervous net."

Most experts and enthusiasts also contend that to be a true robot, a machine must have autonomy (i.e. not be remote-controlled, on a tether, etc.) and can, ideally, recharge itself.

One of the strangest definitions Gareth collected was from Marc Thorpe, creator of Robot Wars. He argued that the word robot can be applied to any mechanical "being" that has an identity and a name. So, in this sense, even a robot tin toy is a robot because we humans relate to it as such. But most people involved in the field of robotics subscribe to some variation of the first definition.

Your Robot Workshop ¶ 

Robot Anatomy ¶ 

Designing Robots

Robot Bodies

Motors

Power Systems

Control Systems

Sensor Systems

Vision Systems

Actuators

Communication

Misc

Robot Builder's Bookshelf ¶ 

Robot Builder's Bonanza by Gordon McComb (TAB, 2011, 4th edition) The godfather of hobby robotics is back with the fourth edition of his groundbreaking book, the book that pretty much started the robotics hobby movement. Clocking in at over 700 pages, 100 projects, and clear, concise tutorials, this is the most significant book on DIY bots at the moment.

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Building Robots by Gareth Branwyn (Que, 2004). Basic introduction to robot history, theory, design, and construction, with three robot projects.

Junkbots, Bugbots & Bots on Wheels by Dave Hrynkiw (Osborne, 2002). Build cool little BEAM robots (biology-inspired, analog-based, autonomous) from junk parts.

Robot Building for Beginners, 2nd Edition by Dave Cook (Apress, 2009). Thick tome that meticulously and plainly details every aspect of a basic robot's construction.

Intermediate Robot Building by Dave Cook (Apress, 2004). Dave's follow-up to his successful beginner's guide, showing you how to take what you've learned from the first book to the next level.

Make: Electronics by Charles Platt (Make: Books/O'Reilly, 2009). Our beginner's guide to electronics, which has become a tech bestseller. This is Forrest Mims' Getting Started in Electronics for the 21st century!

Getting Started with Arduino by Massimo Banzi (Make: Books/O'Reilly, 2008). A handy, breezy, and fun little introduction to Arduino, the microcontroller platform that has taken the creative/hobby electronics and tech-art worlds by storm.

Maker's Notebook by the MAKE staff (Make: Books/O'Reilly, 2008). Our projects notebook, with 150 pages of graph paper and a reference section of indespensible information on electronics, programming, microcontrollers, circuit testing, and more. A great place to spec out your bot designs and take notes!

Robot Resources ¶ 

The Robotics Archive on Makezine.com

Thw Robot aisle of the Maker Shed

Latest in Hobby Robotics video series from Make: Video

Robots Dreams Popular Robot news site

Let's Make Robots Online robotics community

Robots.net Venerable robotics portal

Solarbotics BEAM and robot parts store

TrossenRobotics Robot store and active forum community