Robots among Us : The Challenges and Promises of Robotics

Describes the development of various types of robots, the challenges inherent in making them more and more complex, and uses of robots now and in the future.

Grade 4-6-How and why robots are designed, what they do, and how they may be used in the future are the subjects of this fascinating book. Baker frequently provides activities and experiments to illustrate a point. Routine actions such as picking up a glass and drinking its contents are broken down into a "sense-think-act cycle" that is also used to guide a robot's actions. Clear, color photographs and descriptions of present-day robots, while not always placed on the most appropriate pages, add interest as well as information. Readers won't find much specific material about components, electronics, and other aspects of construction, but they will be inspired by a sense of wonder about the abilities of the human body and the complexities involved in trying to duplicate them with a machine.
Louise L. Sherman, formerly at Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 5-8. An accessible text and an abundance of sidebars and well-captioned, color photographs familiarize middle-schoolers with the science of robotics and recent discoveries in the field. Baker begins by reflecting on visions of what robots should be and what they are in reality. He then goes on to discuss in detail the "sense-think-act" cycle that every robot must perform in order to do work. Scientific terminology such a biometrics and haptics is introduced within the text. The book concludes with a list of Web sites for laboratories where more information can be obtained. A picture of Honda's humanoid robot makes an appealing cover for this final volume in the New Century Technology series. Kathy Broderick
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