Build Your Own Robot: Using Python, CRICKIT, and Raspberry PI

As a parent who delved into the projects in Build Your Own Robot alongside my kids, I can attest to its remarkable appeal and educational value. Here's my review:Engaging Projects: The book offers a diverse range of projects that are not only fun but also intellectually stimulating. From incorporating cameras for visual perception to utilizing QR codes for object identification, each project introduces new concepts and technologies in a clear, step-by-step manner.Accessible Learning: One of the most impressive aspects of the book is its accessibility. Despite my limited background in electronics, I found the instructions easy to follow. The authors have done an excellent job of breaking down complex concepts into manageable chunks, making it suitable for both beginners and more experienced enthusiasts.Interactive Experience: What sets this book apart is its emphasis on hands-on learning. By actively engaging in building and programming the robots, my children and I were able to deepen our understanding of Python programming, DC motors, and other essential components. It's a fantastic way to bond as a family while honing valuable technical skills.Real-World Application: The projects in the book aren't just theoretical exercises; they have real-world applications. For instance, learning to read QR codes for object identification has practical implications beyond robotics, demonstrating the relevance of the skills acquired through these projects.Empowering Creativity: Beyond providing a blueprint for building robots, the book encourages creativity and innovation. With each project, my kids and I were inspired to explore new ideas and customize our creations according to our preferences. It's a wonderful opportunity to foster a love for STEM fields and nurture imaginative thinking.Overall, Build Your Own Robot is a fantastic resource for families looking to embark on a thrilling journey into the world of robotics. Whether you're a complete novice or a seasoned hobbyist, this book offers something for everyone, making it a worthwhile addition to any parent-child collaboration toolkit.

As a maker and a teacher, I appreciate the seamless blend of theory and practice in this guide. It caters to both novice and experienced readers by presenting complex concepts in an accessible manner. By utilizing the concept of stacks (layers) to illustrate the various system elements and their interactions, the author establishes a robust and proven foundation. This serves as a valuable example for students, equipping them with essential knowledge for the future.The progressive approach ensures that readers can follow along, gradually building their cognitive skills. As they progress, they gain the necessary capabilities to create a full-featured robot. I highly recommend this guide for self-learners or as a coursebook for a cohort class.

The book was easy to follow, and the projects generated more ideas for things I could try on my own. The buying guide was also really helpful in figuring out what parts you might already have, what to get, and where to get them. The text has a good balance of guiding you if you are new to robotics while not wasting the time of readers who know a bit more.

I had the pleasure of reading this book in both E-Book format and print format. I have to say going through this book has breathed new excitement in myself to dive back into the world of Robotics. I had so much fun going through the book and building out the robot. I can't wait to build a new robot with my son.

I had reviewed this book a little while back and I found it fascinating. He not only walked through how to build and program the robots but gave ideas for future improvements.Along the way you learn to use opencv to recognize qrcodes so it wouldn’t be hard to modify this to have a robot that can work in a warehouse as most of the work was done.I highly recommend the book to see how to build and program I believe five different robots.