This is a review of Gordon McComb’s book, Robot Builder’s Bonanza.





Ever since I started robotics I have searched to the ultimate how-to book. Frankly it just doesn’t exist. Don’t get me wrong, there have been excellent books written, but none of them seem to meet all the right criteria. But, I have found one that almost measures up to my perfection scale – Gordon McComb’s Robot Builder’s Bonanza 2ed. McComb’s first book of the same name has been on the shelves of robot builders for many years. Unfortunately much of the information had become obselete, so Gordon got the great idea to write a second edition. This massive new addition is jam-packed with loads of great information. Over 100 projects in total. McComb has done an excellent job of providing ample information for the total newbie and advanced user alike. Providing information for the truely robotics illeterate has been a weak point for many robotics book, but Robot Builder’s Bonanza does an excellent job of covering the absolute basics, like basic programming, basic electronics, and basic mechanics. Once these have been mastered the user is then ready to go on to the more advanced topics.

The book is divided into 6 different sections: Robot Basics, Robot Construction, Power, Motors, and Locomotion, Practical Robotics Projects, Computers and Electronic Control, and Sensors and Navigation.

Topics convered include anatomy of a robot, tools and supplies, info on buying parts, electronic components, programming fundamentals, building a robot platfrom, basic wooden platform, metal platform, robots from toys, LEGO-based robots, all about batteries , locomotion principles, choosing motors, DC motors, stepper motors, servo motors, robot brains, computers and microcontrollers, parallel port robots, Basic Stamps, BasicXs, OOPics, remote control, touch sensors, collision detection, robotic eyes, navigation, fire detection, sound output and input, tilt and gravity sensors, and "tips, tricks, and tidbits for the robot experimenter."

The book also contains projects about building a roverbot, building a heavy-duty dix-legged walking robot, advanced locomotion systems, overview of arm sytems, building a revolute coordinate arm, and experimenting with a gripper designs.

Overall, this is an excellent book. But, if you are the person that needs a preset step-by-step guide to building a robot, then this probably isn’t the book for you. According to Gordon, he intentially wrote the book to provided individual stepping stones to building robots, as oppposed to "spoon-feeding" it to you. So, if you are the self-motovated learner then I would highly recommend this book. This book is also an excellent reference manual for beginners or advanced users alike. The GoRobotics Network gives it 5 stars – a perfect score!

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Doger writes, about Robot Builder’s Bonanza:
"This book is a very good read. Within a couple of days I had built an Alumin(i)um base similar to the author’s Buggybot and had powered it with modified servos and an OOPic chip. All of which are covered in the book. I am now in the process of adapting his circuit ideas for ultrasonic detectors. This was definitely money well spent. It may be the only book you need!"