Want to try building a robot but you're afraid it's too complicated? BEAM robots are cheap, simple, and can be built by beginners in just a few hours. The ten basic projects contained in this book will help beginning level readers to get started in robot building, and includes detailed information about the basics of electronics and construction skills.

Table of Contents

Introduction Ch. 1: BEAM Robotics vs. Traditional Robotics Ch. 2: Boring Safety Stuff Ch. 3: Identifying Electronic Bits Ch. 4: Electronics Assembly Ch. 5: Dumpster Diving 101 Ch. 6: Not-so-traditional Sources for Robot Parts Ch. 7: BEAM Robotics Terminology & Nomenclature Ch. 8: Project 1: (Solar) Symet Ch. 9: Project 2: (Solar) Solarengine Circuit/Flag Waver/Solaroller Ch. 10: Project 3: (Solar) Basic Photovore (Light Seeking) Ch. 11: Project 4: (Solar) Intermediate Photovore (Light Seeking, Obstacle Avoiding) Ch. 12: Project 5: (Solar OR Battery) Advanced Photovore Unibug BEAMant (Light Seeking, Obstacle Avoiding, Backup Ability) Ch. 13: Project 6: (Battery) The "Herbie" Photovore Ch. 14: Projects 7 & 8: (Solar OR Battery) Headbot Light-Trackers Ch. 15: Project 9: (Battery) Basic 2-Motor Walker (optionally with Reverse) Ch. 16: Project 10: Advance BEAM Robot Project Ch. 17: Advanced BEAM Technology Ch. 18: Where do I go from here?

About the Author

Dave Hrynkiw (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) is the President of Solarbotics, Ltd., the largest supplier of BEAM-related equipment and parts, and benefactor of the BEAM robotics web community (www.solarbotics.net). Hrynkiw holds a masters degree in Mechanical Engineering and has been working in robotics for over ten years. Mark W. Tilden (Los Alamos, NM) is the father of BEAM Technology and the creator of B.I.O.-Bug robotic toys. Tilden is frequently quoted as a robotics expert in major media like The New York Times and National Geographic. He has been a contributing author to numerous books including The Stiquito Book (IEEE Press, 1996). Full-length articles on Tilden and BEAM robots have been featured in Readers Digest, Discovery Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, Wired Magazine, to name a few.