Linux Robotics (Tab Robotics)

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 287 pages
• Published by: McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics
• Edition: 1st Edition December 16, 2005
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 007144484X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0071444842
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

Product Description
Robotics is becoming an increasingly popular field for hobbyists and professionals alike. The cost of the mechanics and electronics required to build a robot are low enough that almost anybody can afford it. The hardware that used to require government funding or a large university is now available to the average person. At the same time, programming is becoming a more common skill. This book combines the most sophisticated parts of robotics and programming to fill a real gap in available information. Most robotics books today use microcontrollers as the “brains” of the robots. This approach is fine for smaller, less expensive projects, but has serious limitations. When attempting to build a robot with sophisticated movements, navigation abilities, vision, and picture-capturing abilities, it is better to use a single board computer (SBC) such as Linux as the controller.

Back Cover Copy
POWER UP YOUR ROBOT WITH LINUX

If you want your robot to have more brains than microcontrollers can deliver -- if you want a truly intelligent, high-capability robot -- everything you need is right here. Linux Robotics gives you step-by-step directions for "Zeppo," a super-smart, single-board-powered robot that can be built by any hobbyist. You also get complete instructions for incorporating Linux single boards into your own unique robotic designs. No programming experience is required. This book includes access to all the downloadable programs you need, plus complete training in doing original programming.

THE POWER TO BUILD A SMARTER, MORE SOPHISTICATED ROBOT
Combining essential aspects of robotics and programming, this book/Website package from programmer/robot enthusiast D. Jay Newman for the first time empowers hobbyists to construct more intelligent, higher capacity robots. Use it to start designing and constructing your own superbot today.

Put More on Board with Linux

• More sophisticated movements
• Better vision and sensing
• Greater behavioral flexibility
• Upgraded image capture
• Improved navigational skills
• Smarter decision-making
• Faster responses
• And more

Access a Roboticist's Dream Website FREE with this book:

• Downloadable software
• Circuit examples
• Solderless breadboard designs (no tools required)
• Complete classes in behavioral and neural network programming, in Java
• www.books.mcgraw-hill.com/authors/newman

Reader Reviews
It is fare to say Mr. Newman is very competent programming and using Linux. The one star rating has more to do with content and publishing rather than a knock on Mr. Newman. It was obvious he was under time constraints and that this was his first book. He spends more time talking about features that are not working yet or that he wants to implement, than the process to build the robot in his book. The majority of the book is short descriptions without depth. The title and the table of contents are very unreflective of the text contained in the book. The book has 155 pages of "content" and 120 pages of Appendix. The code in the 119 pages of Appendix A while well written could have been included on a CD and much more detail added to the book. It reads, looks and is a rush job. It is clear Mr. Newman has skills and a firm grasp of Robotics and Linux. It is also very clear that this TAB book is a bust. I returned the book. If you are looking for an in-depth Linux and Robotics book then you are much better off with Open-Source Robotics and Process Control Cookbook: Designing and Building Robust, Dependable Real-time Systems By Lewin Edwards. I bought this at the same time I bought Mr. Newman's book. I also own Lewin Edwards first book. Embedded System Design on a Shoestring I consider both of Lewin Edwards works mentioned above as must have books.