Learn Robotics Programming

Build and program intelligent robots using Python and Raspberry Pi with this beginner-friendly guide packed with hands-on projects that introduce core concepts in robotics, automation, and AI

Key Features

• Get up and running with robotics by building your first intelligent robot using Python and Raspberry Pi
• Learn to integrate sensors, motors, and wireless controls to create interactive, autonomous behaviors powered by real-world input
• Discover beginner-friendly AI concepts like speech recognition and image processing, and control your robot remotely using Wi-Fi or mobile devices

Book Description

We live in an age where the most difficult human tasks are now automated. Smart and intelligent robots, which will perform different tasks precisely and efficiently, are the requirement of the hour. A combination of Raspberry Pi and Python works perfectly when making these kinds of robots.

Learn Robotics Programming starts by introducing you to the basic structure of a robot, along with how to plan, build, and program it. As you make your way through the book, you will gradually progress to adding different outputs and sensors, learning new building skills, and writing code for interesting behaviors with sensors. You’ll also be able to update your robot, and set up web, phone, and Wi-Fi connectivity in order to control it.

By the end of the book, you will have built a clever robot that can perform basic artificial intelligence (AI) operations.

What you will learn

• Configure a Raspberry Pi for use in a robot
• Interface motors and sensors with a Raspberry Pi
• Implement code to make interesting and intelligent robot behaviors
• Understand the first steps in AI behavior such as speech recognition visual processing
• Control AI robots using Wi-Fi
• Plan the budget for requirements of robots while choosing parts

Who this book is for

This book is ideal for beginner programmers, developers, and tech enthusiasts interested in robotics and developing a fully functional robot. Whether you're a self-learner or a maker with an interest in automation, this hands-on guide will help you build real working robots from scratch. No prior experience in robotics or electronics is required — just basic programming knowledge and a curiosity to learn.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction To Robotics
2. Exploring Robot Building Blocks - Code And Electronics
3. Introducing The Raspberry Pi - Starting With Raspbian
4. Preparing A Raspberry Pi For A Robot - Headless By Default
5. Backing Up The Code With Git And SD Card Copies
6. Building Robot Basics - Wheels, Power And Wiring
7. Drive And Turn - Moving Motors With Python
8. Programming Line Following Sensors Using Python
9. Programming RGB Strips In Python
10. Use Python To Control Servo Motors
11. Programming Distance Sensors With Python
12. Programming Encoders With Python
13. Robot Vision - Using A Pi Camera And OpenCV
14. Voice Communication With A Robot Using Mycroft
15. Programming A Gamepad On Raspberry Pi With Python
16. Taking Your Robot Programming Skills Further
17. Planning Your Next Robot Project - Putting It All Together
18. Appendix
19. Assessment

Danny Staple builds robots and gadgets as a hobbyist, makes videos about his work with robots, and attends community events such as PiWars and Arduino Day. He has been a professional Python programmer, later moving into DevOps, since 2009, and a software engineer since 2000. He has worked with embedded systems, including embedded Linux systems, throughout the majority of his career. He has been a mentor at a local CoderDojo, where he taught how to code with Python. He has run Lego Robotics clubs with Mindstorms. He has also developed Bounce!, a visual programming language targeted at teaching code using the NodeMCU IoT platform. The robots he has built with his children include TankBot, SkittleBot (now the Pi Wars robot), ArmBot, and SpiderBot.