Stiquito for Beginners
James M. Conrad, Jonathan Mills

Synopsis
This second book on Stiquito presents an opportunity to learn about the field of robotics by providing the skills and equipment to build a small robot and electronic controls for the robot. Stiquito is a small, inexpensive, six-legged robot unique in its nominal cost and limitless applications. Organized into three parts, introduction, assembly instructions and summary/references, the book provides a learning environment including a curriculum, experiments and projects. Stiquito's use in education is further illustrated with lab exercises and discussions on the use of nitinol in classroom experiments. Since its initial release in 1997, Stiquito has successfully been included in primary, secondary and high school curricula. Also available: an accompanying teacher's manual including additional experiments with science benchmarks and national standards associated with each chapter.

Stiquito : Advanced Experiments With a Simple and Inexpensive Robot
James M. Conrad, Jonathan W. Mills

Synopsis
The Stiquito robot is a small, inexpensive six-legged robot that is propelled only by nitinol acutator wires. With this kit the reader can build their own Stiquito robot and customize their design. The book describes the birth of Stiquito, the building process and possible modifications.
The author, James Conrad (jconrad@acm.org) , 2 January, 1998
The book consists of three main parts: building instructions for Stiquito and other legged robots; examples of PC and microcontoller circuits to make the robot move; and examples of applications of Stiquito.
Please note that to build Stiquito you need hobby building skills (cutting fine metal wire, tying knots in the wire, crimping wire in aluminum tubing). Also note that Stiquito has been built by at least 3000 people between the ages of 10 to, well, near 99!

Synopsis
This work includes listings of robot suppliers, including mail order and local businesses. The listings are cross-referenced so readers can find the best sources for their needs. Sidebars are included with additional information to help readers understand critical robotics technologies, such as motor types, sensor designs, and choice of materials. The sourcebook is designed to be a constant reference for all robotics enthusiasts, as it contains resources for both common and uncommon parts and supplies.
From the Back Cover
EVERYTHING THE ROBOTICS HOBBYIST NEEDS TO LEARN WHAT IT IS WHERE TO GET IT HOW TO GET STARTED
FROM THE AUTHOR OF ROBOT BUILDER'S BONANZA!
Fascinated by the world of robotics but don't know how to tap into the incredible amount of information available on the subject? Clueless as to locating specific information on robotics? Want the names, addresses, phone numbers, and web sites of companies that can supply the exact part, plan, kit, building material, programming language, operating system

Synopsis
A hands-on introduction to the field of robotics, guiding the hobbyist through the issues and challenges of building a working robot. Each chapter builds upon the previous one, extending a core robot project throughout the book. Each chapter also includes advanced information and references to other books and Internet sites for further information. Chapter subjects include: mechanical platforms; power supplies; adding sense; microcontrollers; insect robots; pneumatics; more behaviour and intelligence; programming projects; robot behaviours; and more. Also included are lists of references and supplies and an index of key concepts

Book Description
A dynamic learning platform! Pre-programmed for quick enjoyment, and comes with instructions for custom applications. Customizable, no soldering required. Learn basic skills toward advanced robot building.
This incredibly simple-to-build robot will provide you with hours of enjoyment and a great platform on which to develop more sophisticated applications. The 9-volt battery-powered robot (battery not included) is driven by dual electric motors and controlled by a Microchip PIC16C505 PICmicro Microcontroller.
With two light sensors and infra-red "collision detectors" the robot is pre-programmed with the following 'behaviors' built in:
Random Movement - change forward direction when an object is encountered
'Photovore' - seek out light
'Photophobe' - avoid light
'Maze Solver' - follow wall
These behaviors can be selected along with the ability to manually control the operation of the robot by the infra-red remote control included in the kit (two AAA batteries required). With the addition of a BASIC STAMP BS2 Microcontroller (not included) customized applications can easily be built.
All of the software code for the Basic Stamp applications is included on the accompanying CD-ROM along with illustrated assembly instructions, many schematic. Block diagrams and over 100 pages of robot building basics are taken from the best-selling Robot Builder's Bonanza, 2nd edition, by Gordon McComb.
This product is designed for users aged 14 years and up. The kit includes: pre-assembled and tested PCB, robot hardware, remote control, instruction booklet, a CD-ROM containing BASIC Stamp 2 programming instructions and code.
Synopsis
This kit provides a simple-to-build, pre-programmed robot. Aimed at ages 14 and up, the set includes a pre-assembled PCB, robot hardware, remote control, instruction booklet and CD-ROM with additional programming instructions. The kit features a 9-volt, battery-powered robot, driven by dual motors and controlled by a pre-programmed Microcontroller. With two light sensors and infra-red proximity detectors, the robot is pre-programmed with "behaviour" built in. Along with its basic control, the robot can also be controlled by the infra-red remote control included with the kit. With the addition of a BASIC STAMP BS2 microcontroller (not included), customized applications can easily be built. All the software code for the BASIC STAMP applications is included on the accompanying CD-ROM along with illustrated assembly instructions, many schematic and block diagrams and over 100 pages in PDF file format of robot-building basics, including an introduction to electronics and programming. The robot is pre-progammed with four "behaviours" built in: Random Movement (the robot moves about randomly, reversing direction when an obstacle is in its way); Photovore (seeks out light); Photophobe (avoids light); and Maze Solver (follows a wall).