Start from scratch and build a variety of features for autonomous mobile robots both in simulation and hardware. This book will show you how to simulate an autonomous mobile robot using ROS and then develop its hardware implementation. You'll start by gaining an understanding of the basic theoretical concepts underlying the development of autonomous robots, including history, mathematics, electronics, mechanical aspects, 3D modelling, 3D printing, Linux, and programming. In subsequent chapters, you will learn how to describe kinematics, simulate and visualize the robot, how to interface Arduino with ROS, tele-operate the robot, perform mapping, autonomous navigation, add additional sensors, sensor fusion, laser scan matching, web interface, and more. Not only will you learn theoretical aspects, you’ll also review the hardware realization of mobile robots. Projects start with a very basic two-wheeled mobile robot and progress to complex features such as mapping, navigation, sensor fusion, autodocking, and web interface. Upon completing this book, you’ll have incorporated important robot algorithms including SLAM, Path Finding, Localization, and Kalman Filters – and you will be ready to start designing and building your own autonomous robots. What You Will Learn Design and build your customized physical robot with autonomous navigation capabilityCreate a map of your house using the robot’s lidar scannerCommand the robot to go to any accessible location on the mapInteract with the robot using a mobile app, joystick, keyboard, push-button, or remote computerMonitor robot updates via LCD, a mobile app, sound, and status LEDsAutomate delivery of small payloads and return to home baseUtilize autodocking to home base for battery chargingLeverage sensor fusion to improve accuracyInterface with the robot via the Web to monitor and control it remotely Who This Book Is ForComplete beginners who want to build customized robots from scratch. No experience is expected, although basic programming knowledge could be handy.
