Robotics is one of the most exciting career fields of the twenty-first century. This stimulating volume introduces readers to robotics makerspaces and describes how student makerspace experiences and robotics competitions can lead to a career in robotics. It captures the breadth of the robotics industry, describing recent robotics research in home control, medicine, industry, and the military and outlines the skills, education, and degrees required to work in robotics, and the process of finding a robotics job. Informative profiles of several makerspaces as well as day-in-the-life scenarios of roboticists in the space program and the service industry, among others, will keep readers engaged.

An overview of robotics looks at the education and training needed to work in the field, the skills and and experience necessary to get ahead, and the capabilities of robots and how they may be improved in the future.

A broadly accessible introduction to robotics that spans the most basic concepts and the most novel applications; for students, teachers, and hobbyists. The Robotics Primer offers a broadly accessible introduction to robotics for students at pre-university and university levels, robot hobbyists, and anyone interested in this burgeoning field. The text takes the reader from the most basic concepts (including perception and movement) to the most novel and sophisticated applications and topics (humanoids, shape-shifting robots, space robotics), with an emphasis on what it takes to create autonomous intelligent robot behavior. The core concepts of robotics are carried through from fundamental definitions to more complex explanations, all presented in an engaging, conversational style that will appeal to readers of different backgrounds. The Robotics Primer covers such topics as the definition of robotics, the history of robotics (“Where do Robots Come From?”), robot components, locomotion, manipulation, sensors, control, control architectures, representation, behavior (“Making Your Robot Behave”), navigation, group robotics, learning, and the future of robotics (and its ethical implications). To encourage further engagement, experimentation, and course and lesson design, The Robotics Primer is accompanied by a free robot programming exercise workbook that implements many of the ideas on the book on iRobot platforms. The Robotics Primer is unique as a principled, pedagogical treatment of the topic that is accessible to a broad audience; the only prerequisites are curiosity and attention. It can be used effectively in an educational setting or more informally for self-instruction. The Robotics Primer is a springboard for readers of all backgrounds—including students taking robotics as an elective outside the major, graduate students preparing to specialize in robotics, and K-12 teachers who bring robotics into their classrooms.

Discover fascinating facts, figures, and pictures while learning about the most interesting and extreme jobs that use technology. Find out what kind of training it takes be a roller coaster designer, how much money a space robotics engineer makes, and exactly what in the world a wind turbine technician does! Working the most extreme and interesting job in the world also often comes with a paycheck! Punch in to see how fascinating jobs in the fields of science, math, sports, and technology really work. Book jacket.

This intriguing book will pique the interest of all young people, regardless of whether they are technically inclined. The reason is that robots are all around us and will only gain in popularity. This title educates readers on the various careers in the robotics industry, from building robots to the back end work. There’s a place for everyone, from the mathematically inclined to the artistically gifted. With STEM being a major focus of today’s educators, this book will surely be a hit with students and librarians alike.

The interdisciplinary field of robotics offers its practitioners many practical applications and makes it an exciting, dynamic, and cutting-edge pursuit, especially for young people embarking on their careers. This updated volume discusses the latest advances readers will need to be aware of in preparation for the professional positions of computer scientist, robotics engineer, and robotics technician. Readers will get detailed information and tips on what courses to take now and the ongoing advances in robotics that will determine their future study, internships, and more, including snapshots of luminaries in the field.