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TAB Electronics Build Your Own Robot Kit (CD-ROM)

by Myke Predko (Author), Ben Wirz (Author) "The assembled robot, with all it's important parts identified is shown in Figure 2 ..." (more)

3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)

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Product Details

CD-ROM
Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill Book Co. (Trade); 1 edition (Nov 15 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0071387870
ISBN-13: 978-0071387873
Product Dimensions: 25.5 x 19.9 x 5.2 cm
Shipping Weight: 404 g

Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)

Amazon.ca Sales Rank: #1,290,960 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Review

If you are looking for a hands-on kit that incorporates a CD chock full of projects, as well as a ready-to assemble robot, then try the "Build Your Own Robot Kit" available from McGraw-Hill and soon to be available at Amazon.com. The kit lists for around $60 and comes with a $15 off coupon for a Basic Stamp II microcontroller.

Product Description

This kit provides a simple-to-build, pre-programmed robot. Aimed at ages 14 and up, the set includes a pre-assembled PCB, robot hardware, remote control, instruction booklet and CD-ROM with additional programming instructions. The kit features a 9-volt, battery-powered robot, driven by dual motors and controlled by a pre-programmed Microcontroller. With two light sensors and infra-red proximity detectors, the robot is pre-programmed with "behaviour" built in. Along with its basic control, the robot can also be controlled by the infra-red remote control included with the kit. With the addition of a BASIC STAMP BS2 microcontroller (not included), customized applications can easily be built. All the software code for the BASIC STAMP applications is included on the accompanying CD-ROM along with illustrated assembly instructions, many schematic and block diagrams and over 100 pages in PDF file format of robot-building basics, including an introduction to electronics and programming. The robot is pre-progammed with four "behaviours" built in: Random Movement (the robot moves about randomly, reversing direction when an obstacle is in its way); Photovore (seeks out light); Photophobe (avoids light); and Maze Solver (follows a wall).

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
The assembled robot, with all it's important parts identified is shown in Figure 2. Read the first page

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Front Cover | Excerpt | Back Cover

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Customer Reviews

18 Reviews

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

Average Customer Review

3.4 out of 5 stars (18 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Half a Robot, Aug 6 2003

By	Michael J Edelman (Huntington Woods, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As others have noted, the "kit" here doesn't really include everything you need to build a robot. What you get is a bare-bones platform that requires, at a minimum, a remote control you need to build from parts you supply. What it really needs for full functionality is a Basic Stamp processor- which costs a bit more than this kit- and a computer to prgram the Basic Stamp. Given all that, yes, you'll have a simple robot.

This isn't a kit for kids; I'd recommend it for someone who already has some good skills at electronic assembly and is looking for a not-too-expensive program to experiment with. For younger (middle school and below) kids, I'd recommend the Lego Mindstorms robotics kits.

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1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointing., Jul 12 2003

By A Customer

As others have mentioned, the kit does not include the Basic Stamp processor required to get full value out of the kit. Also, the simple build may be good for the inexperienced, but I would have liked to learn about the circuitry as I built the kit myself. I didn't feel like I was building a robot so much as assembling a toy.

When I attempted to insert the 9V battery, I discovered that one of the terminals on the board was improperly installed by the manufacturer, and the battery would not connect. I eventually got the battery to fit, and turned on the robot only to have it make a few clicking noises at me, but not move a bit. I attempted to adjust the sensors in accordance with the instructions, but that didn't work either. I played around with it, trying everything I could think of (short of breaking out a multimeter and testing the individual components), only to be rewarded by a few feeble clicking noises.

Essentially, I ended up wasting about an hour assembling and fiddling around with a toy that was broken before I even opened the box.

The item was a gift, and I'm sure the giver would be unhappy to learn how it only brought me frustration and disappointment.

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4.0 out of 5 stars And so it begins..., April 4 2003

By	Daniel DeMoura "Bad movie connoisseur" (Westport, NY United States) - See all my reviews

So far, I can't find anything wrong with this starter kit. It has met my expectations and provided me with the groundwork to creating my own little robot empire. It is simple enough to understand without the need for an engineering degree. Unfortunately, I can only give it 4 stars because it does seem to mislead a bit on the BASIC Stamp issue. You must buy a BS2 - IC or compatible IC before you attach a serial cable and start coding commands for the little guy. Although simple to setup, the price of the BS2 chip costs as much as the kit itself and will quickly eat away at your budget depnding on where you find it. The robot included is little different from a prototype for the Friendly Robotics RL800 Robomower available in Amazon's Tools & Hardware (minus a few mower parts). That's pretty good considering the BS2 chip isn't included. The prices for this chip are pretty standard at the Amazon Scientific Supplies, Mondo-tronics Robot Store - 2002, and you'll notice a big choice of BS2 IC's to complete your package.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The good and bad about this kit
I bought this product from a different place and had to wait a while before I could build it (it's not easy to build in the car) well anyway it is fun, educational, gives basic (I... Read more

Published on Mar 4 2003

1.0 out of 5 stars Does not really even deserve one star.......
My hard-earned money....Down the drain. First, the kit does not come with the BASIC stamp needed to do the computer programming. That is extra and must be sent away for. Read more

Published on Dec 22 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Project
First off i'd like to say that i really love the Tab kit, i'm a high school senior who's interested in getting started but can't afford to spend a ton of cash on expensive starter... Read more

Published on Dec 10 2002 by Lynn Case

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed!
I thought it was a good price for this fun package but when I received it in the mail, it was missing BASIC STAMP and Serial Programming Cable. What's the point of a kit? Read more

Published on Nov 28 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars "Quality time"
I bought this kit as a way to spend some "quality time" with my 10-year-old son. I was not disappointed. Read more

Published on Nov 22 2002 by Tom Platts

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of fun
This kit was a lot of fun.

It was the first time I tried to make something like this and I thought that I might have some trouble but I followed the instructions and the robot... Read more

Published on Nov 16 2002 by Paul

5.0 out of 5 stars Big kit for little money
I'm interested in getting started but can't afford to spend a ton of cash on expensive starter kits, and I've found this one to be very simple to build but complex enough that I... Read more

Published on Nov 4 2002 by Bart Tannin

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy way to get into robotics
This introductory robotics kit is well suited for educators and hobbyists that want an easily realizable robot. Read more

Published on Oct 17 2002 by mondo_mark