I use dozens of mindstorm projects in our High School Robotics tutorials, and this is by far the most advanced, complete and innovative, and by FAR the most clearly illustrated. I tried out the projects at an advanced teach the teachers conference (also using Blankenships fine book:
Robot's in the Classroom
), which we buy in quantity, and even MS beginners "got" the pictures immediately.
The projects worked great with few glitches, and typical of No Starch, the code and diagrams were well edited and functional right out of the book. The author has a "save you money" attitude, and tries to show processor block techniques that don't require a laptop to execute, but also includes PC interfaces (see page references below) in advanced projects. As you probably know, you DO need the $350 Lego Mindstorms kit to conduct these experiments and build these projects! (For reference it is a great deal on Amazon, it is here:
LEGO Mindstorms EV3 31313
). This is a PROFESSIONAL level robotics kit, but one that even HS kids can enjoy.
Most books like this concentrate either on code or mechanics, and few do both well, let alone theory. I mean, even at over 400 pages and with 5 real projects, there is a LOT to cover, especially since this author really likes autonomous designs and working on deep (and custom!) details, like math and software that turn gear activators into transmissions via math (functions/code). Of the other top 3 MS project books, this is the ONLY one that not only covers scripting in detail, as well as gears/servos etc. AND also goes very deeply into logic, math, technical aspects of robotics, etc.
Remember, this young author is the one who created an award winning Rubik's cube solver! Some of the predator-prey code is done so elegantly that the military drone types will probably be looking at it-- in advanced work these sims require graduate school level differential equations, yet this inventor does it with minimilist code that High Schoolers and self taught hobbyists get right away! As long as your "prey" has a signature (eg IR), you're good to chase and eat with your voracious T Rex.
Part of the value you don't get in any other book is that the writer is a true inventor both mechanically and codewise, and you can see his practical experience on every page of shortcuts, wisdoms and rules of thumb you can use even in the most advanced robotics. A "solver" mind can write 5 lines of Haskell that will solve any Sudoku puzzle, while other more imperative coders take over 40 lines of Java. In robotics, with memory always at a premium even in those that run Linux, authors like this with real world accomplishments don't teach you a bunch of techniques you have to unlearn later, and get you and your students/ kids/ grandkids on the right track from day one, even with the physics, mechanical engineering and math. The "comic book" adds really give you a break from the plentiful "parts" mechanical illustrations and programming action throughout.
Takes a high school level mind to get most of it, and undergrad for some of the advanced concepts, but any intelligent layperson can get these done with K-12 "helpers." I don't know about Italy, but shop classes in the US are virtually gone (like sports programs are going!), so Lego Mindstorms is one of the few "STEM" courses that can hide out as math, science and engineering yet still teach numerous practical mechanical techniques, gears, angles, etc. while having real FUN.
Highly recommended, at the top of my top 5 list in this subject area, whether you're a hobbyist, teacher, student, or professional robotocist. GREAT adjunct gift with an MS purchase too-- I wouldn't invest in an MS kit without this book! AND if you don't have the $350 to shell out on an MS right now (who does today?), the "wisdom" of the code and projects (although not the specific mechanics, as the numerous illustrations are obviously MS) also work for parallax, robobasic and many other projects that require less investment. Some more advanced libraries are offering MS as a checkout item also, although the last one I got for one of my kids was an earlier version than this text covers, yet still 90% applicable.
A few page number references for the above topics (NOTE: this book is literally FILLED with illustrations, so don't worry if the text topics seem complex, the author takes painstaking time to illustrate everything from component builds to screen shots to a complete in-book comic! There also are little "Digging Deeper" boxes that explain advanced concepts.
There are FAR more illustrations than there is text, even though the breadth of topics is amazing). PAGES-- Brick connect to PC where needed: 75; Remote control programming: 240; Hunting prey with your T-rex (an infrared target): 376 (includes seek and chase blocks and teaches basic state priorities and transitions); power vs. speed: 297; Pythagorean theorem vs. lego angles: 261; actuator/motor speed regulation: 188; Patrolling a room on two legs with block alone (no pc needed): 131; Using math blocks directly: 95; Keeping distances in any room (wall following w/ IR): 64; Logic operators and De Morgan's laws (of logic): 373. Many more features, and nearly an entire second book is online on half a dozen of the author's and publisher pages, generally in the benedetelli dot com series, enjoy!
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
$13.92
Get it as soon as Monday, May 20
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
+
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the Publisher
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Laboratory | The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book | The Art of LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Programming | The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Idea Book | The LEGO BOOST Idea Book | The LEGO BOOST Activity Book | |
| Customer Reviews |
240
|
511
|
203
|
629
|
787
|
413
|
| Price | $13.92 | $21.50 | $17.68 | $20.19 | $13.79 | $18.99 |
| Author | Daniele Benedettelli | Laurens Valk | Terry Griffin | Yoshihito Isogawa | Yoshihito Isogawa | Daniele Benedettelli |
| Suggested age range | 12+ | 10+ | 10+ | 10+ | 10+ | 12+ |
| Description | Learn to build 5 cool robots that walk, drive, and dodge obstacles in this comic-filled lab guide. | Beginner-friendly guide to 5 sophisticated EV3 robots. 150+ building and programming challenges to invent your own robots. | Beginner-friendly guide to programming intelligent robots. Covers both the Home and Education editions of EV3. | Visual guide to using the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 set to build 181 simple machines and contraptions. | Visual guide showcasing 95 ways to build simple robots using the LEGO BOOST set. Hints and ideas included for creating your own models. | Illustrated, step-by-step guide to the LEGO BOOST set. Program cool robots and test your robotics knowledge. |
| Builds include | Wheeled robot, steering car robot, walking defense robot, and walking dinosaur | Vehicles, animal robots, and humanoid robots | Robots that react to different environments, navigate a maze, display drawings, and play Simon Says-style game | Cars with real suspension, steerable crawlers, ball-shooters, and grasping robotic arms | Robots that walk, crawl, use wheels, shoot objects, grip objects, and lift things | Rover robot, BrickPecker, and CYBOT |
| Production description | 432 pp. full color book; paperback | 396 pp. full color book; paperback | 276 pp. full color book; paperback | 232 pp. full color book; paperback | 264 pp. full color book; paperback | 272 pp. full color book; paperback |
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
