Product Description

This title is the perfect tutorial for learning the mechanical, software, and electronic systems of LEGO Mindstorms and other hybrid robots. It focuses on "hot technology" topics: electronics, embedded systems, object-oriented technology, software development, and robotics. It includes projects for each concept, including a LEGO camera for the remote control vision chapter, an interface for a robotic warning system, and a tele-operated robot. The CD includes: complete computer programs for controlling the robots; circuit simulation models; and diagnostic tools.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #613720 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-26
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

From the Back Cover
Are you ready to step up to cutting-edge robotics?
Don Wilcher makes it easy and fun to understand concepts and build projects that put the concepts to work. You get hands-on instructions for satisfying projects in mechatronics, embedded systems, object-oriented programming, and high-level electronics and robotics -- all using off-the-shelf LEGO products as starting points. LEGO(r) Mindstorms(tm) Mechatronics gives you:
* Projects that include a robotically operated LEGO camera, a robotic warning system, and numerous other mechatronics plans
* A complete set of needed programs, circuit diagrams, and diagnostic tools on the CD-ROM
* A great appendix packed with online and other embedded systems resources

INSIDE: LEADING EDGE ROBOTICS PROJECTS
* TELEROBOTICS -- Operate devices from afar with visual feedback
* SMART HAND CONTROLLERS -- Exchange tactile information with a machine
* HYBRID ROBOTS -- Combine LEGO with other kits for unique creations
* MECHATRONIC BOTS -- Make savvy machines with brains and movement
* WALKING BOTS -- Where do you want me to go today?
* AUDIO BOTS -- Are you talking to me?

About the Author
Don Wilcher (Garden City, MI) is an Electrical Engineer and the author of the bestseller LEGO(r) Mindstorms(tm) Interfacing, also from McGraw-Hill. He has written articles for Nuts and Volts magazine and other trade publications. Don is an active advocate for engineering education reform and for pre-college engineering curriculum.

Customer Reviews

Useful information, terrible book
There is some useful information in this book, but getting it out is like cracking walnuts. The book is terribly written, maybe the 2nd worst book I've read. There are some gross typos, left out parts of sentences, wrong diagrams, multiple un- or poorly-defined terms and abbreviations. The writing style is dreadful. I find myself re-reading some paragraphs several times to figure out what he's saying. Other paragraphs could be skipped altogether as he relys too literally on the advice "tell them what you're going to tell them, tell them, tell them what you told them." That may be fine in an oral presentation. In writing it's redundant and annoying. Just tell me and tell me well. Skip the overture and encore. Nevertheless, I'm buying the companion prequel "Mindstorms Interfacing" because this book references that one a lot. Many of the web references are no longer active. Some of the free software referenced is no longer available online, but FORTUNATELY some is on the enclosed CD-ROM. A few nuggets of gold may be worth digging through tons of rock to find. I'm not sure yet whether this book will be worth the dig, I'm only 1/4 throught it.