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The Robotics Primer offers a broadly accessible introduction to robotics for students at pre-university and university levels, robot hobbyists, and anyone interested in this burgeoning field. The text takes the reader from the most basic concepts (including perception and movement) to the most novel and sophisticated applications and topics (humanoids, shape-shifting robots, space robotics), with an emphasis on what it takes to create autonomous intelligent robot behavior. The core concepts of robotics are carried through from fundamental definitions to more complex explanations, all presented in an engaging, conversational style that will appeal to readers of different backgrounds.The Robotics Primer covers such topics as the definition of robotics, the history of robotics ("Where do Robots Come From?"), robot components, locomotion, manipulation, sensors, control, control architectures, representation, behavior ("Making Your Robot Behave"), navigation, group robotics, learning, and the future of robotics (and its ethical implications). To encourage further engagement, experimentation, and course and lesson design, The Robotics Primer is accompanied by a free robot programming exercise workbook.The Robotics Primer is unique as a principled, pedagogical treatment of the topic that is accessible to a broad audience; the only prerequisites are curiosity and attention. It can be used effectively in an educational setting or more informally for self-instruction. The Robotics Primer is a springboard for readers of all backgrounds—including students taking robotics as an elective outside the major, graduate students preparing to specialize in robotics, and K-12 teachers who bring robotics into their classrooms.
Maja J. Mataric is Professor of Computer Science and Neuroscience and Director of the Center for Robotics and Embedded Systems at the University of Southern California, where she is also Codirector of the Robotics Research Lab and Senior Associate Dean for research in the Viterbi School of Engineering.
Preface 1 What Is a Robot? Defining Robotics 2 Where Do Robots Come From? A Brief but Gripping History of Robotics 3 What’s in a Robot? Robot Components 4 Arms, Legs, Wheels, Tracks, and What Really Drives Them Effectors and Actuators 5 Move It! Locomotion 6 Grasping at Straws Manipulation 7 What’s Going On? Sensors 8 Switch on the Light Simple Sensors 9 Sonars, Lasers, and Cameras Complex Sensors 10 Stay in Control: Feedback Control 11 The Building Blocks of Control: Control Architectures 12 What’s in Your Head? Representation 13 Think Hard, Act Later: Deliberative Control 14 Don’t Think, React! Reactive Control 15 Think and Act Separately, in Parallel Hybrid Control 16 Think the Way You Act: Behavior-Based Control 17 Making Your Robot Behave: Behavior Coordination 18 When the Unexpected Happens: Emergent Behavior 19 Going Places: Navigation 20 Go, Team! Group Robotics 21 Things Keep Getting Better Learning 22 Where To Next? The Future of Robotics Bibliography Glossary Index