We live in exciting times for robotics. The first book I purchased , "Build Your Own Working Robot" by David L. Heiserman, describing the construction of a robot, dates from 1976. The robot was called Buster and there was not a CPU in sight - it was Op-Amps and TTL Logic all the way. Two years later, in 1978, Tod Loofbourrow published "How to Build a Computer Controlled Robot". This KIM1 (6502) powered beast used a 12v 84Ahr car battery for power. How times have changed. Now, hobbyists everywhere are building machines of varying complexity and capability. From small crawling insect like devices, to huge battle bots. Robot behaviour is becoming more intelligent, as AI and Neural Networks are increasingly used. Research in universities is filtering down. The descendants of Reading Universities famous "Seven Dwarfs" have been built by hobbyists from parts provided with Real Robots magazine. Research at Manchester Universities robotics department has produced a robot which can navigate the universities corridors and return to the lab. Exciting times indeed.
http://www.robot-electronics.co.uk/acatalog/About_Us.html
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A collection of resources, examples, and lecture notes for the physical computing courses at ITP. What is physical computing? A few FAQs about the class. For a longer explanation, check out the book Physical Computing, by Dan O'Sullivan and me. Classes: * Networked Objects Fall 2006 * Sustainable Practices Fall 2006 * Introduction to Physical Computing, Fall 2006 * Sensor Workshop Spring 06 * Physical Computing Studio Spring 06 * Sensor Workshop fall 05
http://www.tigoe.net/pcomp/index.shtml
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