The Robotics PrimerA broadly accessible introduction to robotics that spans the most basic concepts and the most novel applications; for students, teachers, and hobbyists. The Robotics Primer offers a broadly accessible introduction to robotics for students at pre-university and university levels, robot hobbyists, and anyone interested in this burgeoning field. The text takes the reader from the most basic concepts (including perception and movement) to the most novel and sophisticated applications and topics (humanoids, shape-shifting robots, space robotics), with an emphasis on what it takes to create autonomous intelligent robot behavior. The core concepts of robotics are carried through from fundamental definitions to more complex explanations, all presented in an engaging, conversational style that will appeal to readers of different backgrounds. The Robotics Primer covers such topics as the definition of robotics, the history of robotics (“Where do Robots Come From?”), robot components, locomotion, manipulation, sensors, control, control architectures, representation, behavior (“Making Your Robot Behave”), navigation, group robotics, learning, and the future of robotics (and its ethical implications). To encourage further engagement, experimentation, and course and lesson design, The Robotics Primer is accompanied by a free robot programming exercise workbook that implements many of the ideas on the book on iRobot platforms. The Robotics Primer is unique as a principled, pedagogical treatment of the topic that is accessible to a broad audience; the only prerequisites are curiosity and attention. It can be used effectively in an educational setting or more informally for self-instruction. The Robotics Primer is a springboard for readers of all backgrounds—including students taking robotics as an elective outside the major, graduate students preparing to specialize in robotics, and K-12 teachers who bring robotics into their classrooms. |
Contents
What Is a Robot? Defining Robotics | 1 |
Where Do Robots Come From? A Brief but Gripping History of Robotics | 7 |
Whats in a Robot? Robot Components | 19 |
Arms Legs Wheels Tracks and What Really Drives Them Effectors and Actuators | 29 |
Move It Locomotion | 47 |
Grasping at Straws Manipulation | 59 |
Whats Going On? Sensors | 69 |
Switch on the Light Simple Sensors | 81 |
Dont Think React Reactive Control | 161 |
Think and Act Separately in Parallel Hybrid Control | 177 |
Think the Way You Act BehaviorBased Control | 187 |
Making Your Robot Behave Behavior Coordination | 207 |
When the Unexpected Happens Emergent Behavior | 215 |
Going Places Navigation | 223 |
Go Team Group Robotics | 233 |
Things Keep Getting Better Learning | 255 |
Sonars Lasers and Cameras Complex Sensors | 97 |
Stay in Control Feedback Control | 121 |
The Building Blocks of Control Control Architectures | 135 |
Whats in Your Head? Representation | 145 |
Think Hard Act Later Deliberative Control | 151 |
Where To Next? The Future of Robotics | 269 |
| 289 | |
Glossary | 293 |
| 303 | |