Here is a curated list of books that cover various aspects of building hobby humanoid robots, from mechanical design to programming and AI integration.
Beginner-Level Books
- “Robot Building for Beginners” by David Cook
- Focus: Basics of robotics, suitable for beginners.
- Topics: Electronics, sensors, and simple robot designs.
- “Make: Electronics” by Charles Platt
- Focus: Introductory electronics for robotics enthusiasts.
- Topics: Hands-on projects to learn circuits and components.
- “Building Robots with LEGO Mindstorms NXT” by Mario Ferrari
- Focus: LEGO-based robotics, great for beginners.
- Topics: Programming and design with a focus on humanoid movements.
- “Practical Electronics for Inventors” by Paul Scherz and Simon Monk
- Focus: Understanding and applying electronics in robotics.
- Topics: Circuits, components, and troubleshooting.
Intermediate-Level Books
- “Robot Builder’s Bonanza” by Gordon McComb
- Focus: DIY robot building for hobbyists.
- Topics: Mechanical design, electronics, and programming for humanoids.
- “Arduino Robotics” by John-David Warren, Josh Adams, and Harald Molle
- Focus: Using Arduino for robot control.
- Topics: Programming, sensor integration, and actuator control.
- “Learning ROS for Robotics Programming” by Enrique Fernandez and Aaron Martinez
- Focus: Getting started with the Robot Operating System (ROS).
- Topics: Motion planning, sensor integration, and AI.
- “Making Simple Robots” by Kathy Ceceri
- Focus: Simple yet effective robotics projects.
- Topics: Materials, design, and programming basics.
Advanced-Level Books
- “Modern Robotics: Mechanics, Planning, and Control” by Kevin M. Lynch and Frank C. Park
- Focus: Theoretical foundations of robotics.
- Topics: Kinematics, dynamics, and motion planning.
- “Introduction to Autonomous Robots” by Nikolaus Correll, Bradley Hayes, and David Coleman
- Focus: Developing autonomous capabilities for humanoid robots.
- Topics: Sensors, perception, and control.
- “Probabilistic Robotics” by Sebastian Thrun, Wolfram Burgard, and Dieter Fox
- Focus: Advanced robotics concepts.
- Topics: Localization, mapping, and motion planning.
- “Artificial Intelligence for Robotics” by Francis X. Govers
- Focus: Using AI in robotics.
- Topics: Machine learning, vision, and decision-making.
Books on Humanoid Robot Mechanics
- “Bipedal Robots: Modeling, Design and Control” by Wei Wang, Zhouwang Yang, and Yuanxi Wang
- Focus: Design and control of humanoid robots with legs.
- Topics: Gait planning, stability, and actuation.
- “Springer Handbook of Robotics” by Bruno Siciliano and Oussama Khatib
- Focus: Comprehensive guide to robotics, including humanoids.
- Topics: Manipulation, locomotion, and human-robot interaction.
- “Humanoid Robotics and Soft Computing” by Anis Koubaa
- Focus: Integrating soft computing techniques in humanoid robotics.
- Topics: Fuzzy logic, neural networks, and swarm robotics.
Books on Programming and AI
- “Programming Robots with ROS” by Morgan Quigley, Brian Gerkey, and William D. Smart
- Focus: Practical programming with the Robot Operating System.
- Topics: ROS basics, motion planning, and simulation.
- “Python Robotics Projects” by Prof. C. Ravi Kumar
- Focus: Robotics programming using Python.
- Topics: Building intelligent robots with Python.
- “Deep Learning for Robotics” by Kai Arulkumaran
- Focus: Applying deep learning to robotics.
- Topics: Neural networks, reinforcement learning, and robotics vision.
Books for Inspiration
- “Rise of the Robots” by Martin Ford
- Focus: The societal impact of robotics.
- Topics: Future trends and the role of humanoids.
- “The Robotics Primer” by Maja J. Matarić
- Focus: Introduction to robotics concepts.
- Topics: Robotics history, mechanics, and AI.
How to Use These Books
- Start Small: Begin with beginner-level books if you’re new to robotics.
- Build on Basics: Move to intermediate and advanced books as you gain confidence.
- Apply Knowledge: Work on hands-on projects to practice what you learn.
- Explore AI: Dive into programming and AI books to add intelligence to your humanoid robots.
By following this list, you’ll gain a solid foundation in robotics and the skills needed to create advanced humanoid robots.