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■ INTRODUCTION
The most recent version of the kit is LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3. The prior versions of LEGO
MINDSTORMS Robotics Invention System (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) and NXT are no longer manufactured.
However, they are often available at garage sales and online auction sites for a lower cost than the shipping
version.
If you decide to go the LEGO route, pick up a LEGO MINDSTORMS kit, some batteries, and an Apress
MINDSTORMS book.Beyond LEGO But Still Not Ready to Solder?
If you want an easily constructed kit that is more advanced than LEGO, consider the Parallax Boe-Bot robot.
It comes with a BASIC processor, circuit board, motors, wheels, body, instruction books, CD-ROM, tutorial,
and either a USB or RS-232 serial port. Boe-Bot doesn’t require soldering.
If walking robots are more your style, check out the Parallax Penguin. Or, if you want a preassembled
(ready-to-go) robot, look into the Parallax Scribbler.
Parallax also has robots based on the more-advanced Propeller processor, such as the Stingray. It is
more appropriate for those with a software programming background.
Arduino is a popular open source brain board, similar to the Parallax BASIC Stamp or Propeller. Both
Solarbotics and SparkFun Electronics carry a wide variety of Arduino-based boards that you can connect
with prototyping wires, rather than soldering.Note Regarding Part Lists
Whenever possible, descriptions of tools and parts mentioned in this book are accompanied by listings of
resellers, part numbers, and approximate prices. No favoritism to a particular supplier or part is intended.
Prices are listed in U.S. dollars. Keep in mind that prices change and that part numbers may no longer
be accurate after this book is published. Bummer!
Book errata, updates, and an up-to-date parts list is maintained at http://www.robotroom.com/SandwichStuff.
html#PARTS.Getting Updates and Seeing What’s New
I have a website, http://www.robotroom.com. Please drop by and visit. You’ll also find other robots I’ve built as well
as links to robot-related clubs and sites.