How to Build Your Own Self-Programming Robot
by David Heiserman
ISBN: 0830612416
While the "brains" for the robot outlined in this book may be somewhat dated, the basic principles and techniques are just as relevant today as they were then. From the physical construction to the basic electronics, you are sure to learn something. Not to mention the material presented on Artificial Intelligence and methods for implementing it for a totally unique creation.
Personal Robot Book, the
by Texe Marrs
ISBN: 0830608966
Many of the specifications for the the robots on this site came straight from these pages. A virtual robot encyclopedia, there are entries on Heathkit's Hero, Tomy's Heroid, Hubotic's Hubot and many others - this book is a must have for any robot collector's bookshelf.
Robot Builder's Bonanza
by Gordon McComb
ISBN: 0071362967
This book could well be an amateur robot-builder's first reference guide. Containing complete plans for 11 robots as well as information on Robotix, Lego Technic and Mindstorms, you'll be busy for quite a while.
Robotz
by Steve Munzer
ISBN: 0439431182
Another robot encyclopedia - this time geared more towards children, although adults will enjoy reading it just as much as their kids do. Includes write-ups on ancient "androides," industrial robots, AI computers and of course the obligatory movie robots. "Whether you're a robot geek or robot guru, this is the guide for you!"
Taking Care of Tekno
by Tracey West
ISBN: 0439295041
If you happen to be one of the millions of owners of a Tekno Puppy (or really any Tekno Pet), you will want to keep a copy of this book on your shelf, if only to say that you have it. Not a whole lot on unique information here that you don't already get from the instructions that come with the pet, but hey... You can always use another robot book in your collection. Am I right or am I right?
Complete Handbook of Robotics, the
by Edward Stafford, Jr.
ISBN: 0830698728
Again, the information presented is slightly dated (1978 to be exact), but still well worth the read. The mechanics of robot-building really doesn't change that much over time, and the basics of electronics are still the same as they were 20 years ago. Whether you are looking to build a truly retro-bot or just brush up on "ancient" technology (back when robotics was art), you will love this book.
Hacking Roomba: ExtremeTech
by Tod Kurt
ISBN: 0470072717
If you are lucky enough to own a Roomba, or are just thinking about it, I highly recommend you get your hands on this book! The author starts by showing you how to connect your Roomba to a computer through a serial tether to issue commands directly. Then, once you have that down, you will learn how to connect wirelessly through bluetooth and then through 802.11 Wi-Fi. The best trick in this author's bag is installing Linux on the Roomba (through a router) making it a fantastic mobile base for just about any robotic project!
Robosapien Companion, the: Tips, Tricks and Hacks
by Jamie Samans
ISBN: 1590595262
If you own a Robosapien, you are going to need this book. It starts out with a little bit about Robosapien's creator - Mark Tilden. Then it goes on to detail the inner working of your robot, giving info on repair and hacking. You will also learn, in-depth, the 67 functions that control Robo and how to get the most from them.
PIC Microcontroller Handbook
by John Iovine
ISBN: 007139544X
If you are into building your own robotic creations, you might want to give this book a read. Everything from circuit design to advanced software programming is covered. Even if you're already experienced in PIC microcontroller circuitry, you will probably still want to have a copy of this book on your shelf. After you have read it once, you will use it over and over again as a quick reference throughout all of your PIC-based designs.
Cheaper than a Basic Stamp - this is my microcontroller of choice.
Robot
by Jan Pienkowski
ISBN: 0440074592
This children's pop-up book appears to revolve around a little robot who has gone off to space camp or something. It has him writing home and asking about his family. There's something to do on every page and the pop-ups are really good.
123 Robotics Experiments for the Evil Genius
by Myke Predko
ISBN: 0071413588
What would a list of project books be without at least one from the Evil Genius series? This book, like the others in the same series, start out teaching basic theory, building on that and expanding to bigger and better projects as the book progresses. Most of the projects can be built with simple, everyday items found around the home. The only exception being the electronics components - and even those are likely to be in your junk box.
You do have a junk box, right?
World of Robots, the
by Brian Morris
ISBN: 0831795662
Not only does this book address one of my favorite subjects - robots - it's printed in the motherland - Italy! This large format book has lots of information that anyone interested in robots will want to read over and over again. From the history of robotics to movie robots to robots of the future - it's all there.
I really just wanted to see how many times I could say robot in one write-up : )
Ultimate Robot
by Robot Malone
ISBN: 075660270X
Ok, this has got to be the best book about robots that I have ever seen! We are talking a complete history of the robot chronicling robotic evolution from 2500 BC to the present. Full color, and in some cases full page, photos and interesting write-ups make this a book that I am sure to read over and over again. Regardless of what is written in the reviews on Amazon, I would suggest that you give this book a chance. It's been my experience that what the critics say and what is truly worthwhile are two different beasts...
Omni Book of Computers and Robots, the
by various authors
ISBN: 0821712764
Although this book, a collection of articles previously published in Omni magazine, deals mostly with computers, I include it here for the single chapter that it dedicates to the mechanical aspect of the subject - the robot itself.
PDA Robotics
by Douglas H. Williams
ISBN: 0071417419
If you are thinking about building a robot, or even modifying an existing robot, and you want to use your handheld PDA to control it then you'll want to check this book out. Here you will find everything you need from design ideas to a specific project example complete with schematics, PCB artwork, software listings and mechanical dimensions and assembly instructions.
Then you are introduced to more advance topics, such as RF wireless communications, GPS positioning and even using a barcode scanner - not quite sure about that one!
Software is compatible with both the Palm Pilot and the Pocket PC.
A Robot in Every Home
by Mike Higgings
ISBN: 0931445159
This book is written in two parts: "An Introduction to Personal Robots" and "Brand-Name Buyer's Guide". The first section gives, as many other books here do, a brief history of robots, from their very earliest beginnings to modern day (for the book, anyway) marvels. Whereas most of the other books deal in generalities, this one uses specific models as examples. If only for the information given on these select robots, this would be a good resource. But Part Two is where this book really shines. It showcases, in great detail, ten particular robots. The bots chosen for this honor are Topo, Hero 1, RB5X, Hubot, Hero Jr, Turtle Tot, FRED, and, sharing a chapter - Dingbot, Verbot and Omnibot. Even if you are only interested in one of these fine machines, this book is well worth owning for the goldmine of information that is available on each bot.
Robot Book, the
by Robert Malone
ISBN: 0156784521
This book has seen some living from the looks of it. If you are into the history of Robotics, then this book is definitely for you. With 160 pages of classic black and white photos (with the exception of 13 color images) from the earliest Egyptian depictions of automatons to the more 'modern' robots beginning to invade 1978, you are sure to be entertained for hours on end.
Robot
Now published bi-monthly, Robot is packed full of articles on robots both old and new. New robots are reviewed and old robots are remembered. Plus information and projects for building your own robots. I was very excited when my first issue came!
Servo
Servo is a robotics magazine brought to you by the same folks publishing the only electronic hobbyist magazine left in America - Nuts and Volts. Each month they take a look at what's new in the robotics field, in both commercial as well as industrial applications. They also have projects that you can build ranging from simple one-nighters to complex multi-parters. And of course the pioneers are honored.