Best Robotics Books

[Myrddin157]

Hello all,
I'm looking for books pertaining to robotics education/learning. Does anyone know of any they'd recommend?

Particularly, I'm interested in entry-level to mid-level books on the topics of mechanics and electronics. (More mid-level I suppose. Something more than just the basics.)

In terms of mechanics I'm looking for something that would discuss basic mechanical mechanisms/linkages, gear ratios, and possibly even things like gear box design. As for electronics, I'm looking for something that would discuss motor control circuits (including stepper motors) and basic microcontroller/processor use.

Do such books exist?
Anyone have any favorites they are willing to share?

Thanks.

[Mike Betts]

Myrddin,

Unfortunately, robotics topics are not usually taught at the undergraduate level (at least not when I was in school). However, if you plan to pursue robotics as a career, I'd suggest that you put a copy of Fundamentals of Robotics : Analysis and Control by R. J. Schilling (1990) on your bookshelf. Warning! This book is not a high school or junior college text.

A very old book I highly recommend is DC Motors, Speed Controls and Servo Systems : An Engineering Handbook published by the Electro-Craft Corporation (1972). You may still be able to get a used copy.

Actually, from your description, I think that you are looking for a text on Mechatronics. However, I have never run across a good text I could recommend on this subject.

[Jeff K.]

Try checking out Robot Books
It's a website that sells little robot toys for kids and books that range from beginner, to all type of advanced ones and also have electrical and mechanical books. If you're thinking about making a robot on your own, chek out the hobby books ( Hobby Books ) . If that doesn't work, just go to Barnes and Noble or Borders and look around for a book that you like. But for stepper motors...I don't really like them...too complicated...i like the regular motors, good old red and black wire, but then again, stepper motors go for precision and are at times expensive, I'm actually selling some that I took out of my old HP printer and another HP scanner, only because I got new better ones.

[ahecht]

I would highly recommend Robotic Explorations : A Hands-on Introduction to Engineering by Fred G. Martin. While much of it is based on LEGOs, it goes over everything from mechanical design to sensor circuit design and programming.

[Koko Ed]

The only book I have ever seen that directly mentions FIRST is Gearheads: The Turbulent Rise of Robotic Sports . Mostly it focuses on Battlebots and briefly mentions FIRST and highlights the rather nasty rivalry FIRST has with Battlebots.

[Adam Y.]

Particularly, I'm interested in entry-level to mid-level books on the topics of mechanics and electronics. (More mid-level I suppose. Something more than just the basics.)

Mechanics:
Robot Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Illustrated- A very nice book with loads of pictures. Unfortunately some of the pictures are rather cryptic and the text sometimes doesn't help explain what is going on. Besides that it's an excellent book that shows cool chasiss designs, robot arms, and gearboxes. This book was written by a employee of irobot so this guy knows what he is doing. It is one of the best books I have related to robotics.
Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook-I haven't had much time to look at this book but it does go into more detail about any mechanical device ever created besides robotics. I actually don't own a copy of the book though because the drawback is it's cost. Robot Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Illustrated actually draws about some of the information presented in this book. If you have the money buy this book too.
Electronics:
Practical Electronics for Inventors-A good book that describes the basics of electricity using analogies whenever the author could. He systematically describes each and every electronics theory that you need to know to build projects. It's quite interesting because the book goes into detail about how mosfets, transitors, ic, and other devices work. It's a good start for someone who has no idea what some of these devices are.