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Raspberry Pi Robotic Projects
This book is for enthusiasts who want to use Raspberry Pi to build complex robotics projects. However, some programming background is recommended. With the aid of the step-by-step instructions in this book, you can construct complex robotics projects that can move, talk, listen, see, swim, or fly.Raspberry Pi Robotic Projects is an easy-to-follow, step-by-step projects guide packed full of examples of actual robotics projects. Each topic is explained in detail to make it easy to replicate the projects described.
- GenresNonfiction
278 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 30, 2014
First the points:
The introductory chapter is not a complete waste of space unlike in some books. You are shown the necessary tools, and taught the required things needed to succeed with the book. Just one chapter. Not half of the book. Good so far.
The second chapter gets straight into introducing programming in Python and then very briefly touches the basics of C/C++. There's not really enough C/C++ info to get you properly going if you haven't used it before, but some websites are suggested for review which should help. Python examples are good for learning the language, and each line of code is explained, but:-
Each program listing contains an explanation of statement(s) which have already been explained in a previous listing, which is unnecessary and wasting printed paper for no good reason. For example, almost every listing explains what "#!/usr/bin/python" means. You really only need to be told once, maybe twice. It's actually harder to remember the format of the statement, than what it actually does.
From the third chapter, each chapter introduces a project and takes you through how to put it together, and often makes suggestions of ways to improve it. The following chapters build upon the previous ones, getting more complex the further you go, imparting new skills and ideas.
The subtitle of the book, "Create amazing robotic projects on a shoestring budget", is not accurate in my opinion, as completing most of the projects in the book will necessitate purchasing of quite a lot of hardware, some of which is not exactly cheap. Which brings me to :-
Multiple suggestions throughout the book to search Amazon to buy parts, which is in my opinion, unprofessional, and encourages readers to ignore the many great, helpful, well stocked, smaller businesses that specialise in the hobby. At least Adafruit gets a mention or two.
Typographical errors in the code examples such as "sudodd…" instead of "sudo dd…" and again with "sudonmap", "sudo nmap" etc are really unfortunate. If you (Linux and Mac users) don't have a grasp of the unix command line, this could trip you up.
If you are a Windows or a Linux user you're fine. Mac users though… OS X is mentioned once in the whole book, and that is in a note about a particular GPS receiver, but you can for the most part run a terminal and then follow the linux examples. This could have been suggested in the book.
In conclusion, I feel that this is a good book if you are interested in starting your journey into robotics with a Raspberry Pi, don't have much programming experience, and either have suitable hardware lying around to be used or don't mind buying stuff to experiment with. The introduction to Python in a practical way is useful all by itself, and the book does really leave you with a feeling that you can achieve whatever you want, if you have the imagination.
In the interest of transparency, I was asked by the publisher (http://www.packtpub.com/raspberry-pi-...) to review this book.
The introductory chapter is not a complete waste of space unlike in some books. You are shown the necessary tools, and taught the required things needed to succeed with the book. Just one chapter. Not half of the book. Good so far.
The second chapter gets straight into introducing programming in Python and then very briefly touches the basics of C/C++. There's not really enough C/C++ info to get you properly going if you haven't used it before, but some websites are suggested for review which should help. Python examples are good for learning the language, and each line of code is explained, but:-
Each program listing contains an explanation of statement(s) which have already been explained in a previous listing, which is unnecessary and wasting printed paper for no good reason. For example, almost every listing explains what "#!/usr/bin/python" means. You really only need to be told once, maybe twice. It's actually harder to remember the format of the statement, than what it actually does.
From the third chapter, each chapter introduces a project and takes you through how to put it together, and often makes suggestions of ways to improve it. The following chapters build upon the previous ones, getting more complex the further you go, imparting new skills and ideas.
The subtitle of the book, "Create amazing robotic projects on a shoestring budget", is not accurate in my opinion, as completing most of the projects in the book will necessitate purchasing of quite a lot of hardware, some of which is not exactly cheap. Which brings me to :-
Multiple suggestions throughout the book to search Amazon to buy parts, which is in my opinion, unprofessional, and encourages readers to ignore the many great, helpful, well stocked, smaller businesses that specialise in the hobby. At least Adafruit gets a mention or two.
Typographical errors in the code examples such as "sudodd…" instead of "sudo dd…" and again with "sudonmap", "sudo nmap" etc are really unfortunate. If you (Linux and Mac users) don't have a grasp of the unix command line, this could trip you up.
If you are a Windows or a Linux user you're fine. Mac users though… OS X is mentioned once in the whole book, and that is in a note about a particular GPS receiver, but you can for the most part run a terminal and then follow the linux examples. This could have been suggested in the book.
In conclusion, I feel that this is a good book if you are interested in starting your journey into robotics with a Raspberry Pi, don't have much programming experience, and either have suitable hardware lying around to be used or don't mind buying stuff to experiment with. The introduction to Python in a practical way is useful all by itself, and the book does really leave you with a feeling that you can achieve whatever you want, if you have the imagination.
In the interest of transparency, I was asked by the publisher (http://www.packtpub.com/raspberry-pi-...) to review this book.
June 16, 2014
Read Raspberry Pi Robotics Projects only if you already know about programming, linux and the raspberry pi.
I cannot recommend this book for beginners. It is only useful as a cheat-sheet to install programs for specific functions (like voice recognition), as most of the book is a group of step-by-step install instructions for that programs.
If someone hopes to build a robot from this book he won't unless he already knows programming, linux and the raspberry pi.
There are mistakes on the text commenting what the code does so it will misguide newbies instead of helping them.
When introducing a new concept, instead of explaining it, the book just offers you a link to an external source or recommends you to google because "there are plenty of good manuals out there about it". I felt like if they said: "That's a wheel, that's a brake, that's a seatbelt, well, now you can drive a car, we'll go on from there...". Also a theory background is completely missing.
The book says it's for beginners but "teaches" you programming in two pages!
Every chapter introduces a technology and a small demo but then, after that, there is not a real project from A to Z that integrates all the technologies. There is no robot at the end. For example, the book says a robot can move, avoid collisions and see things, but there is no robot in the book that does the three things.
The book is good as a link list to know the technologies that are available to make a robot. The author has done some research on this area and then offers a list of technologies, which are good references, but then says "go and find info on it, then, when you know how it works, come back and keep reading". He does a little demo of each technology and moves to the next one.
Maybe fully autodidact geeks will enjoy it, but I think most people will feel frustrated with the book unless they have the appropriate background: programming, linux and the raspberry pi.
I cannot recommend this book for beginners. It is only useful as a cheat-sheet to install programs for specific functions (like voice recognition), as most of the book is a group of step-by-step install instructions for that programs.
If someone hopes to build a robot from this book he won't unless he already knows programming, linux and the raspberry pi.
There are mistakes on the text commenting what the code does so it will misguide newbies instead of helping them.
When introducing a new concept, instead of explaining it, the book just offers you a link to an external source or recommends you to google because "there are plenty of good manuals out there about it". I felt like if they said: "That's a wheel, that's a brake, that's a seatbelt, well, now you can drive a car, we'll go on from there...". Also a theory background is completely missing.
The book says it's for beginners but "teaches" you programming in two pages!
Every chapter introduces a technology and a small demo but then, after that, there is not a real project from A to Z that integrates all the technologies. There is no robot at the end. For example, the book says a robot can move, avoid collisions and see things, but there is no robot in the book that does the three things.
The book is good as a link list to know the technologies that are available to make a robot. The author has done some research on this area and then offers a list of technologies, which are good references, but then says "go and find info on it, then, when you know how it works, come back and keep reading". He does a little demo of each technology and moves to the next one.
Maybe fully autodidact geeks will enjoy it, but I think most people will feel frustrated with the book unless they have the appropriate background: programming, linux and the raspberry pi.
June 25, 2014
This book is an extensive introduction to robotic projects using the Raspberry PI, from the skies (quad copers + arduino) to under the sea, passing through land and sail. But of course, it will cover the background work necessary to fully mobilize your board and explore the world, for that it will use voice, image recognition, WiFi and even GPS data to exactly locate where your robot is and provide a communication both ways.
But if that is not enough, you can also learn to automate its route using ROS (Robot Operative System) on top of Raspbian to set specific guides and then plot that to the map of coordinates provided by a cellular dongle.
This book is really didactic and will guide you through with lots of images, as well as providing you with many more ideas of how to proceed looking for information using internet.
As it is, I can consider its target people as intermedium to advanced users of the board, which I could be a big drawbacks if you are thinking of this book and you are new in the scene. Also, as trying to cover as many really interesting topics as mentioned before, it just touches the surface of what else can be done with the couple hardware/software.
Nonetheless, I should totally go for this book and start making amazing robotic projects.
But if that is not enough, you can also learn to automate its route using ROS (Robot Operative System) on top of Raspbian to set specific guides and then plot that to the map of coordinates provided by a cellular dongle.
This book is really didactic and will guide you through with lots of images, as well as providing you with many more ideas of how to proceed looking for information using internet.
As it is, I can consider its target people as intermedium to advanced users of the board, which I could be a big drawbacks if you are thinking of this book and you are new in the scene. Also, as trying to cover as many really interesting topics as mentioned before, it just touches the surface of what else can be done with the couple hardware/software.
Nonetheless, I should totally go for this book and start making amazing robotic projects.
July 31, 2014
I've had almost no experience in building robotics development before reading Raspberry Pi Robotic Projects because I was thinking that it costs a lot to pay for a computer or server, hardware components, and text book. However, I found it wrong after buying Raspberry Pi and this book.
I am totally new with robotoics development, but I did enjoy reading this book because I found that I can learn how to develop it quickly by following several small projects with Raspberry Pi, open source software, and some hardware stuff which I should by on Amazon.
There are some who feel it too easy and light for each projects, but I believe that this book is also fun to just read to learn about how hardware components work with programming by paying just $14 (kindle edition).
Lastly, this is quick review of each chapter.
Chapter 1: Getting Started with Raspberry Pi
I love the pictures of Raspberry Pi, hardware components and the explanation for each component.
Installation guide is also nice with several picutres for beginners.
Chapter 2: Programming Raspberry Pi
If you are not new with programming, you can skip this chapter.
Practical robotics development begins the chapters below.
What I love most is the pictures of the hardware components such as a USB camera, wheels, a speaker, and completed version because it helps us understand how it works and is build at last.
Chapter 4: Adding Vision to Raspberry Pi
Chapter 5: Creating Mobile Robots on Wheels
Chapter 6: Making the Unit Very Mobile Controlling the Movement of a Robot with Legs
Chapter 7: Avoiding Obstacles Using Sensors
Chapter 8: Going Truly Mobile The Remote Control of Your Robot
Chapter 9: Using a GPS Receiver to Locate Your Robot
Chapter 10: System Dynamics
Chapter 11: By Land, Sea, and Air
I am totally new with robotoics development, but I did enjoy reading this book because I found that I can learn how to develop it quickly by following several small projects with Raspberry Pi, open source software, and some hardware stuff which I should by on Amazon.
There are some who feel it too easy and light for each projects, but I believe that this book is also fun to just read to learn about how hardware components work with programming by paying just $14 (kindle edition).
Lastly, this is quick review of each chapter.
Chapter 1: Getting Started with Raspberry Pi
I love the pictures of Raspberry Pi, hardware components and the explanation for each component.
Installation guide is also nice with several picutres for beginners.
Chapter 2: Programming Raspberry Pi
If you are not new with programming, you can skip this chapter.
Practical robotics development begins the chapters below.
What I love most is the pictures of the hardware components such as a USB camera, wheels, a speaker, and completed version because it helps us understand how it works and is build at last.
Chapter 4: Adding Vision to Raspberry Pi
Chapter 5: Creating Mobile Robots on Wheels
Chapter 6: Making the Unit Very Mobile Controlling the Movement of a Robot with Legs
Chapter 7: Avoiding Obstacles Using Sensors
Chapter 8: Going Truly Mobile The Remote Control of Your Robot
Chapter 9: Using a GPS Receiver to Locate Your Robot
Chapter 10: System Dynamics
Chapter 11: By Land, Sea, and Air
July 4, 2014
I liked the depth in which the author has covered the subjects. This book is targeted not just for Raspberry Pi users, but even the first time users. The author has taken an extra step to explain about setting up the Raspberry Pi and explaining the basic programming in Python.
This book is definitely must have if you are learning to program hardware using Raspberry Pi. The author has mentioned the details of hardware components used in the book along with the links from where you can get them. It would have been helpful if the author had mentioned the cost of each hardware used in the book. This is just to have an idea about the cost of hardware. Of course, users should compare between different vendors to get a good deal.
The book covers
- programming and interfacing with robots using Raspberry Pi (via GPIO)
- accessing GPS programmatically and help robot navigation
- programming boat to sail in water
- programming quad copter to fly
I am sure that the readers can extend the subjects to their needs with the above mentioned. The source code is available to download and test it out. I have not tried any of the hardware examples mentioned in the book. I am quite interested in buying the required hardware and try out the same. I personally liked the contents of the book and wish / hopeful that there would be an advanced version of this book which would have advanced topics like interfacing with auto mobiles / security & surveillance etc.
This book is definitely must have if you are learning to program hardware using Raspberry Pi. The author has mentioned the details of hardware components used in the book along with the links from where you can get them. It would have been helpful if the author had mentioned the cost of each hardware used in the book. This is just to have an idea about the cost of hardware. Of course, users should compare between different vendors to get a good deal.
The book covers
- programming and interfacing with robots using Raspberry Pi (via GPIO)
- accessing GPS programmatically and help robot navigation
- programming boat to sail in water
- programming quad copter to fly
I am sure that the readers can extend the subjects to their needs with the above mentioned. The source code is available to download and test it out. I have not tried any of the hardware examples mentioned in the book. I am quite interested in buying the required hardware and try out the same. I personally liked the contents of the book and wish / hopeful that there would be an advanced version of this book which would have advanced topics like interfacing with auto mobiles / security & surveillance etc.
July 29, 2014
Review - "Raspberry Pi Robotics Projects" by Richard Grimmett
This book is an attempt to organize the set of information on Raspberry powered Robotics projects and make it available to a wide audience of possible robotics developers. Some programming background is useful, but if you know how to use a personal computer, with the aid of the step-by-step instructions in this book, you will be able to construct complex robotics projects that can move, talk, listen, see, swim, or fly.
We start by getting the Raspberry Pi up and working. We then learn how to interact with the Raspbian operating system using the command line and also create and edit files using Emacs. We are exposed to both the Python and C programming languages. We then learn how to provide speech input and output and subsequently vision via a webcam. We then add mobility using motors, servos and other methods. We then learn to control the robot with legs. Then we learn how to connect a sonar sensor and avoid or find obstacles. In the next chapter we go wireless and truly mobile. We tyen add GPS connectivity to identify routes to different waypoints and track where our robot has been. Finally we add advanced capabilities to fly and sail.
This book covers a wide array of functionality and steers you in the right direction to build your own complex robotic systems.
Get the book here - http://bit.ly/1nib21r
This book is an attempt to organize the set of information on Raspberry powered Robotics projects and make it available to a wide audience of possible robotics developers. Some programming background is useful, but if you know how to use a personal computer, with the aid of the step-by-step instructions in this book, you will be able to construct complex robotics projects that can move, talk, listen, see, swim, or fly.
We start by getting the Raspberry Pi up and working. We then learn how to interact with the Raspbian operating system using the command line and also create and edit files using Emacs. We are exposed to both the Python and C programming languages. We then learn how to provide speech input and output and subsequently vision via a webcam. We then add mobility using motors, servos and other methods. We then learn to control the robot with legs. Then we learn how to connect a sonar sensor and avoid or find obstacles. In the next chapter we go wireless and truly mobile. We tyen add GPS connectivity to identify routes to different waypoints and track where our robot has been. Finally we add advanced capabilities to fly and sail.
This book covers a wide array of functionality and steers you in the right direction to build your own complex robotic systems.
Get the book here - http://bit.ly/1nib21r
December 20, 2015
Richard Grimmett continues his series of books on Arduino, BeagleBone, and Raspberry Pi's with this book on Robotic Blueprints. This book covers using these microcontrollers in RC vehicles, making a tracked vehicle plan its own path, building a robot that plays laser tag, and even a flying robot. This book is not intended for those just getting their feet wet in using an RPi and its fellow brethren but rather to expound upon the knowledge the reader already has. Source code for many portions and projects is provided by the author to assist the reader in coming up with their own projects. All in all, this is a very good discourse on robotic projects featuring the evolving area of microprocessors. I look forward to seeing what the author and the manufacturers can create in the coming next few years.
July 10, 2014
Together with the book, students will be taken step-by-step through the process of building one, from installing the libraries needed to access the GPIO pins to configuring a wireless adapter to some suggestions (not explicit instructions) on how to construct the bot's body. When you have finished, you will have a working robot that you can log into and control remotely via command line, with the possibility of using a shell or a Python script. All course participants will receive an electronic copy of the book to go along with the course. If you would like to do something impressive with your Pi, but learn better from seeing and hearing rather than reading, this course is for you!
http://www.packtpub.com/raspberry-pi-...
http://www.packtpub.com/raspberry-pi-...
July 10, 2014
Covers what you would expect from a robotics books. As far as projects go it takes you through specific build stages of a robot instead of focusing on different types of builds, which i personally found useful to apply to other projects. I thought the last chapter was really good on ' Land, sea and Air'.
Overall, for people who learn by doing, this book will definitely hit the mark, it delivers good value with lots of interesting and stimulating build stages.
Link: http://www.packtpub.com/raspberry-pi-...
Overall, for people who learn by doing, this book will definitely hit the mark, it delivers good value with lots of interesting and stimulating build stages.
Link: http://www.packtpub.com/raspberry-pi-...
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews