Homemade Robots: 10 Simple Bots to Build with Stuff Around the House

Homemade Robots: 10 Simple Bots to Build with Stuff Around the House consists of a brief introduction to the tools that are used to build small robots without micro-controllers, along with ten robotics projects.

The introduction to the tools is fairly brief, but with practice you can probably master soldering and drilling. The projects require the purchase of non-everyday items such as servo motors and empty paint cans, even though it says that they are built with “stuff around the house.” All the ideas are good and the concepts are well explained, but the specification of parts and steps is lacking. If you have good maker skills and an assortment of some of the more common materials, this book would be a good choice. It is especially well suited to experienced makers who have never worked with robotics and want to dive into a new type of making.

I think all library systems should stock this book. It would make a good addition to a university library, even though the language used is simple. It gives good explanations, and any mistakes I made were probably my fault. I think makers should buy this book, but less experienced people should consider a more introductory book.