Robotics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Great introductory book, but writing is very technical and required some serious concentration on my part even though I have a degree in Computer Science.

I felt the first part of the book was better then the last part when he started to talking about the future of robotics. But then again the things he was saying about the future I am starting to see in the new papers.. I guess I would have liked more hands, it really is a "Very Short Introduction".

Covers the topics that I was interested in reading about.This books appears to be an original work by the author, although there may beother similar titles.

Print was so small. Bought for a senior citizen. Content was good.

I bought this book for my grandson. He is a very good first year high school student and found it to be both interesting and educational.

Great and Gentle Introduction for the noob :) I really enjoyed the book and it helped me move on to more advanced topics.

This book is a comprehensive one full of usefull and practical technical details and applications. Nice and good work and Thanks!

A good snapshot of important advances in robotics.

This is a great book. As a newcomer to the field, coming from a social science background, this book offered me an invaluable overview of both the conceptual and practical opportunities and challenges of contemporary robotics.Whereas some aspects of robotics can seem overwhelming and impenetrable at times, this introduction is highly engaging, interspersing technical detail with lively anecdotes. Despite its length, the book successfully spans technical descriptions, historical and social context, philosophical foundations, ethics and robot futures.The book covers key events and achievements that show how exciting the robotics field has become, from Walter’s Tortoises and Braitenberg machines, to Swarm Robotics and ideas of collective intelligence. These advances have significant consequences for other scientific fields (and beyond). Other areas dealt with in the book move beyond technology, revealing novel insights into the human condition such as our tendency to anthropomorphise and concerns about authenticity.Highly recommend!

I'm not an expert, but this is a very good introduction to the topic, that is very much up to date. Lots of examples, and much of the research, experiments mentioned can be found on line, a very well written book. I read it in a train journey, the chapter about swarm robotics was particularly interesting; as was the 'uncanny gap' example about how we treat robots based on appearance. Finally the book raises a lot of good questions about the future, and the difficulties that robot will have without humans around to make decisions for them. Highly recommended.

My 10 year old likes it

bought as a gift

Just started getting into robotics as a degree course prospect and wanted to introduce myself to the material. This is an exceptional introduction to the field of robotics for the sci-fi enthusiast with a certain mind for realism.