Author(s): Scott Preston
Year 2006, PDF, 441 Pages
Who Should Read This Book
If you want off-the-shelf robot components, free software, and development tools, this is the book for you. You can download all the software—it’s GPL (General Public License) or Apache License—and you can purchase the components from your favorite robot supplier and/or hobby shop. The following sections outline the experience you should have to get the most out of the book.
Your Programming/Java Experience
I could say that you should have a good understanding of object-oriented techniques and Java before getting started with this book, but if you’re like most roboticists, you’ll likely learn as you go, and by following the various examples I’ve included within these pages. Of course, if you don’t have a background in Java, you will undoubtedly experience a learning curve before things begin to click. If you start getting lost due to the vocabulary or the complexity of the examples, just purchase one of the beginning Java books from Apress. They’re excellent. If things still don’t make sense, send me an e-mail or visit my web site and post a question.
Your Robot Building Experience
For those picking up this book, you should hopefully be an intermediate robot builder already; be familiar with microcontroller concepts, servo controllers, electronic speed controls, and sensors; and have either built a robot from scratch or from a kit. I can recommend a few robots from Lynxmotion, Inc., or if you want to build one from scratch, take a look at some of the Apress books penned by David Cook.
About the Author
Scott Preston works as a technical architect for a large Columbus consulting firm where he resides with his lovely wife, Emily. Scott has over 15 years of software and electrical experience including positions with The U.S. Navy, Bank One, UUNET, and Covansys Inc., in addition to running his own robotics company, Preston Research LLC, where he gives robotic lectures in conjunction with COSI (Center of Science and Industry) and manufactures small Java-enabled robots called CubeBots®. Preston is also a member of the Java Community Process, and the Central Ohio JUG. Read more on his website, Scott's Bots.
