This page contains answers to common questions along with some tips and tricks that we have found useful and presented here as
questions.
- Where can I find the book?
- What makes this book different from the rest?
- Why doesn't the book have project XYZ?
- Who are the authors of the book?
- What is BEAM Robotics?
Hopefully, almost at any major bookstore! Indicators are that Junkbots will be slated for major distribution, so start at a store nearby. If that doesn't work, you can order it directly from Solarbotics Ltd (and other book-related
stuff), or from Amazon.com (USA, Int'l), Amazon.ca (in Canada), and Chapters/Indigo (in
Canada)
Junkbots approaches building robots with parts that are truly available from around the house, or in the scrap heap.
The BEAM aspect is pushed, meaning that there isn't programming or microprocessors required.
We've gone through considerable effort to document our projects, with images specifically edited for clear, clean reproduction in the book.
Why doesn't the book have project XYZ?
We had a large number of projects to pick from, but time and space constraints resulted with us having to cut some projects out of our "want" list. Photovores weren't covered specifically because of the large number of really good quality web-pages
already dedicated to photovores (specifically check out the "FRED", and "Fangovore"
projects). We weren't going to do a project unless if we thought we could do it either better or with newer ideas than what was already available on the Internet.
Who are the authors of the book?
Dave Hrynkiw and Mark Tilden, of course!
Dave Hrynkiw (me) is the President of Solarbotics Ltd., a company focused on bringing BEAM-style robotics to the world. I've worked a hard five months to bring this book to the world, and hope
that it makes a suitable addition to a roboticist's bookshelf.
Mark Tilden (him) is the creator of the style of robotics that is called "BEAM". By using clever electronic techniques, we're able to build robots simpler, quicker, and generally as (or more) effective than with traditional techniques. BEAM never has
pretended to be a replacement for microprocessor-based robotics, but when combined with it, some pretty impressive results can be expected.
Good question! I recommend you visit Solarbotics.com for an introduction to the technology.
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