TIP: If you plan to buy anything from Amazon.com, even if it's not one of the books listed below, go to Amazon through one of the following links. Robothon will still get 5% of any item you buy and it won't cost you anything extra. Thanks!

Mindstorms was developed by Lego with the help of a few folks at MIT. The set is easy to use and can build several different robots to perform various tasks. Some people have even built robots to compete in Robothon with Mindstorms. Although the price may seem a little steep for a "Lego set", it's probably cheaper than trying to build your first robot from scratch. Mindstorms is a great tool to start with.

Karl Lunt's Build Your Own Robot! is exciting for two reasons. First, it's a valuable compilation of articles Karl has written over many years for Nuts and Volts magazine. Even if you have past issues of all of Karl's articles, you will want this book because the index is very complete. It's the type of book you can read cover to cover or select topics of interest on a rainy day. Either way, you'll learn much. What's the second reason this book is exciting? Karl is a member of the Seattle Robotics Society!

Mobile Robots: Inspiration to Implementation has become one of the most well-respected robotic books in publication. Written by some of the foremost leaders of the robot community, this book brings some very advanced concepts down to a level the "rest of us" can understand.

One of the most important parts of a robot (although there are many) are the sensors. Attaching sensors to your robot is one thing; getting meaningful information from them is another. We recommend Sensors for Mobile Robots: Theory and Application to help you with this topic.

Although the first edition was not the best book we've seen on robotics, The Robot Builder's Bonanza Second Edition: 99 Inexpensive Robotics Projects has a lot of improvements. The projects have been expanded to use some more modern techniques like R/C servos. This is a great book for beginners or people looking for ideas.

Do you need to know more about electronics? The book you want to get is The Art of Electronics. It has been considered the best electronics reference book for years.

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, computer system, or publication you've been searching for? Turn to Robot Builder's Sourcebook a unique clearinghouse of information for that will open 2500+ new doors and spark almost as many new ideas.

Pete Miles' Robot Sumo: The Official Guide covers Robot Sumo, the world's hottest new robot sport. Read all about the rules and regulations, see hundreds of pictures and diagrams--and learn how to build your very own Sumo Bot! Fully endorsed by Fujisoft ABC, Inc., the world's leading promoter of International Robot Sumo competitions.

Once you've read some of the books listed above, you may still have questions. The Seattle Robotics Society's Encoder on-line magazine and mailing list are also very good sources of information.