Personal Robotics (1 ed)

Overview of Consumer and Educational Robot Kits

With the growing popularity of robotics, many companies now offer robotic platforms specifically designed for electronics enthusiasts, students, and hobbyists. These platforms are available as both fully assembled robots and do-it-yourself (DIY) kits, providing users with a wide range of options based on their technical skills, educational objectives, and budget.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of commercially available robot kits, covering products that range from entry-level educational robots to more advanced systems intended for experienced users. It helps readers identify the most appropriate robotic platform by considering factors such as assembly requirements, programming difficulty, hardware capabilities, and overall cost.

For beginners, the book recommends fully assembled robots or kits with preconfigured electronic components, allowing users to focus on programming and experimentation without extensive hardware assembly. More experienced readers can explore kits that require electronic assembly, soldering, and a deeper understanding of embedded systems and circuit design.

The book also compares different robotic platforms according to their locomotion mechanisms, including wheeled mobile robots, legged robots, and robotic manipulators. In addition, it evaluates the range of sensing capabilities available in each platform, from basic configurations with few or no sensors to sophisticated systems equipped with multiple sensing devices. Programming approaches and software complexity are also discussed to help readers select a platform that best matches their learning objectives and technical expertise.

The book exclusively focuses on genuine robotic systems, ensuring that every platform presented possesses the essential characteristics of a robot, including sensing, computation, decision-making, and actuation.