Robots, Androids, and Animatrons: 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build

Build your own computer-controlled servant. Construct your own robot or android to do your bidding! In Robots, Androids and Animatrons: 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build, electronics expert John Iovine serves up easy-to-follow plans and step-by-step instructions for constructing your very own state-of-the-art working robot that will obey your orders, act as your surrogate and even do scores of tough chores. You'll find everything you need to harness the latest robotics technologies--locomotion, sensing and control--to develop a high-tech robot, animatron or android in your own home workshop. This groundbreaking guide makes it easier than you ever imagined to: Design a lifelike robotic hand or arm that performs repetitive tasks; Build a computerized robot that uses both an expert system and a neural network--for some very unexpected behavior; Devise a robotic insect with a "brain"; Create a telepresence robot you can "get inside of" with actual arcade and virtual reality apps; Take advantage of sensing systems--tilt, bump, road and wall, light, speech, recognition, sound--even odors and gases; And much more.

Ever dream of building your own robot to do your bidding? Following the plans and instructions in this unique guide, you can construct a state-of-the-art working robot that will obey your orders, act as your surrogate, and even do some chores! Robots, Androids, and Animatron demonstrates step-by-step how to put the latest robotics technology--locomotion, sensing, and control--into a high-tech robot, animatron, or android that you can put together in your own workshop! With this book, you can--Make a lifelike robotic hand that performs repetitive tasts; Build a computerized robot that uses both an expert systems and neural network--for some very unexpected behavior; Create a telepresence robot that you can ``get inside of,'' with actual arcade and virtual reality applications; Build a robot with arcade applications; Create a robotic insect with a ``brain''; Build a computer-controlled robotic arm; Learn about sensing systems--tilt, bump, road, and wall--light, speech recognition and sound--even odors and gases; Be the first on your block to own and operate your very own android! Plus, you get an inside look at today's on-the-job robots. . .lists of robotics organizations. . .and an extensive guide to parts suppliers for the off-the-shelf items that you don't build at home.