We have carefully reviewed a wide range of robot related books and have presented them below. Each book is given a rating based on its content and how easy it is to understand for its intended audience. Reviews are grouped in categories based on the subject matter.
Robotics, Mechatronics, and Artificial Intelligence: Experimental Circuit Blocks for Designers (2001) by Newton C. Braga
This book presents a number of guides for constructing simple electronic circuits, which could be used in your own robot projects. Each guide is well presented, introducing basic principals and construction techniques as well as complete circuits that you can build yourself.
Mobile Robotics: A Practical Introduction (2003) by Ulrich Nehmzow
This is an excellent introduction to mobile robotics. The text has been carefully written to gradually introduce key concepts of both robotics and artificial intelligence.
Intermediate Robot Building (2010) by David Cook
This book is aimed at intermediate builders: adults, college students, and advanced high school students. It requires background experience in electronics. Because the hobby involves soldering, electricity, and light machining, the writing is targeted toward individuals with those capabilities.
JunkBots, Bugbots, and Bots on Wheels: Building Simple Robots With BEAM Technology (2002) by Hrynkiw & Tilden
This is an excellent introductory book to robotics. You will learn about the essential tools needed for mechanical assembly and gain important safety tips. Following the step-by-step guides you should be able to build your very own BEAM (Biology, Electronics,Aesthetics, and Mechanics) robots.
Vehicles Experiments in Synthetic Psychology (1986) by Valentino Braitenberg
This is a must read for any robotics and A.I. enthusiast. In this book, Braitenberg explores how simple principals applied to robots can create robots with complex behaviours. The book is well set out, with each chapter exploring ever more creative and fascinating approaches to behavioural robotics.
Artificial Intelligence A Modern Approach (2003) by Russell & Norvig
Since the first publication in 1995, this book has become the top-rated reference book for most universities teaching A.I relevant courses.
Head First Java (2005) by Kathy Sierra & Bert Bates
Excellent introduction into Java programming.
Robot: Mere Machine to Transcendent Mind (1999) by Hans Moravec
(FICTION) A brilliant look at how robots could dominate the world of the future.
Evolutionary Robotics (2000) by Nolfi & Floreano
This book is a good introduction to the concepts of evolutionary robotics and the current research. The content is aimed at those that already have some understanding of artificial intelligence and robotics.
