Arduino IV: DIY Robots

This book gives a step-by-step introduction to designing and building your own robots. As with other books in the Arduino series, the book begins with a quick overview of the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) used to write sketches, and the hardware systems aboard the Arduino UNO R3 and the Mega 2560 Rev 3. The level of the text makes it accessible for students, hobbyist and professionals' first introduction to both Arduino and Robotics. This book will be accessible by all levels of students, advanced hobbyists and engineering professionals, whether using as a self-reference or within a structure design laboratory. The text then examines the many concepts and characteristics common to all robots. In addition, throughout the book, reasonably priced, easily accessible and available off-the-shelf robots are examined. Examples include wheeled robots, tracked robots and also a robotic arm. After a thorough and easy to follow Arduino IDE and hardware introduction, the book launches into “do it yourself” or DIY concepts. A unique feature of the book is to start with a hands-on introduction to low cost 3D printing. These concepts will allow you to design and print your own custom robot parts and chassis. We then explore concepts to sense a robot's environment, move the robot about and provide a portable power source. We conclude with a several DIY robot projects.