The Robot Book: Build & Control 20 Electric Gizmos, Moving Machines, and Hacked Toys (Science in Motion) - Softcover

Mercer, Bobby

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1556524072 ISBN 13: 9781556524073

Publisher: Chicago Review Press, 2014

Synopsis

Drones, RC cars, artificial limbs, Roombas—the robots have arrived! Don’t you want your own? Author and physics teacher Bobby Mercer will show you how to turn common household objects and repurposed materials into 20 easy-to-build robots for little or no cost. Turn a toothbrush, an old cell phone or pager, and scrap wire into a Brush Bot, or hack a toy car to hotwire a Not-So-Remote Bot. A small electric fan, several craft sticks, and rubber bands make a Fan-Tastic Dancing Machine, and drinking straws, string, tape, and glue can be used to construct a working model of the human hand.

 

Every hands-on project contains a materials list and detailed step-by-step instructions with photos for easy assembly. Mercer also explains the science and technology behind each robot, including concepts such as friction, weight and mass, center of gravity, kinetic and potential energy, electric circuitry, DC vs. AC current, and more. These projects are also perfect for science fairs or design competitions.

About this title

About the Author

Bobby Mercer has been sharing the fun of science for over two decades as a high school physics teacher. He is the author of The Flying Machine Book, The Racecar Book, and Junk Drawer Physics.

Review

“It’s not always easy to find a project book for young designers that contains activities that don’t end up with the parents doing all the work. That’s not the case here...The Robot Book offers up 20 “gizmos, moving machines, and hacked toys” that offer up a number of amazing experiences for the young maker.” —GeekDad

“It’s a solid starting point for readers with an interest in circuitry or engineering—or who simply like to take things apart to see how they work.” —Publishers Weekly

“Those interested in tinkering with electronics will find the tasks engaging and thorough.” —School Library Journal

“It’s just the book to have with holiday time for hands-on creating.” —Scientist's Book Shelf

"Mercer shows readers that by being curious, by observing, and by understanding the basics of machines and electricity, they can make small, amusing robots. Several of the projects don’t even require electricity but still offer kids a chance to create something amazing.” —Booklist

Edition details

• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1556524072
• ISBN 13: 9781556524073
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 208