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Rating: 
Summary: Response from the Author
Review: I hope responding to a review isn't in poor taste, but heck, here's my comment. I put the same "star" count as the comment I am commenting on.Mr. Newman is correct, the arm project is difficult, I can't deny it. It could *probably* be done with a hacksaw, a file, and a drillpress, but I would hate to try that. I made this arm using a $500 manual mill from Grizzley. As for code for AI, yes, that would have been great in this book! Alas, time and space impose practical limitations. Keep your eyes peeled for a book that makes up for this deficiency next year.
Rating:
Summary: Response from the Author
Review: I hope responding to a review isn't in poor taste, but heck, here's my comment. I put the same "star" count as the comment I am commenting on. Mr. Newman is correct, the arm project is difficult, I can't deny it. It could *probably* be done with a hacksaw, a file, and a drillpress, but I would hate to try that. I made this arm using a $500 manual mill from Grizzley. As for code for AI, yes, that would have been great in this book! Alas, time and space impose practical limitations. Keep your eyes peeled for a book that makes up for this deficiency next year.
Rating:
Summary: A book at odds with itself.
Review: The first part of the book involves building a robot and a robot arm. Unlike most robotics books, there are many exact dimensions which would be nice if I had an automated metal cutter. I don't, so I won't be building that anytime soon. I think it would have been nice if the author was to offer a kit of parts for the arm. One interesting thing is that the author chooses both new components and repurposed components (screwdriver motors) for his projects. I like it because sometimes spending the money for new stuff is money well spent, and sometimes searching for inexpensive substitutes is worth it. However, when the author talks about robotic vision he stops being practical and goes all theoretical. Now, don't get me wrong: his explanation of certain types of neural networks is one of the most clear I've seen, but there is no code. I expected to see at least enough code to manuever a robot around a room. On the other hand, there are *many* good ideas. All in all, the book was worth both paying for and reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Long-anticipated follow-up to Applied Robotics
Review: This book contains tons of useful, practical information on robot controllers, platforms, drive systems, programming , and even includes some step-by-step instructions for building a robotic arm. Edwin is the creator of FUZBOL, a programming language specifically designed for robotics controllers. I own the original, and this book appears to be 99% new content, not a re-hash of the original. Well worth the price. A must-have for any serious robotics enthusiast!
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