New Haven Register
"Bots is compelling because Gurstelle clearly gets a big kick out of mechanical mayhem."


USA Today
"For anyone who wants in on the metal mayhem."


The New Yorker
"Handy how-to guide for turning your garage into a robot war zone."


The Register Citizen
"Compelling."


Boston Herald
"For techie teens looking to tweak their talents during winter vacation, search no further."


Gannett News Service
"For anyone who wants in on the metal mayhem, Gurstelle’s manual collects and organizes advice now scattered over the Internet."


Book Description
This is the definitive guide to designing and building warrior robots like those seen on BattleBots, Robotica, and Robot Wars. It walks robot enthusiasts of all ages step-by-step through the design and building process, enabling them to create any number of customized warrior robots. With a strong emphasis on safety, chapters include designing a robot, choosing materials, radio control systems, electric motors, robot batteries, motor speed controllers, gasoline engines, and drive trains. Clear instructions are accompanied by photos, line drawings, and detailed diagrams throughout. For inspiration, a color section showcases a variety of glorious fighting machines along with their stats. Profiles of well-known designers and builders also enliven the text. For beginners, there is machine shop 101 and robot physics, and, of course, chapters on weaponry that include spinner robots, thwackbots, cutting blade robots, lifters, and chameleon robots. When the bot of their dreams is built, suggestions on where to compete and game-day strategies and tactics help readers take the next step. An extensive resource section lists parts suppliers, pertinent Web sites, a radio frequency chart, and a glossary.


About the Author
William Gurstelle is the author of the bestselling Backyard Ballistics. He is also a professional engineer and a technogeek bot builder. Gurstelle and his sons build and compete in the growing number of regional competitions with their own Tosca and Weber the Grillbot. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This is the definitive guide to designing and building warrior robots like those seen on BattleBots, Robotica, and Robot Wars. It walks robot enthusiasts of all ages step-by-step through the design and building process, enabling them to create any number of customized warrior robots. With a strong emphasis on safety, chapters include designing a robot, choosing materials, radio control systems, electric motors, robot batteries, motor speed controllers, gasoline engines, and drive trains. Clear instructions are accompanied by photos, line drawings, and detailed diagrams throughout. For inspiration, a color section showcases a variety of glorious fighting machines along with their stats. Profiles of well-known designers and builders also enliven the text. For beginners, there is machine shop 101 and robot physics, and, of course, chapters on weaponry that include spinner robots, thwackbots, cutting blade robots, lifters, and chameleon robots. When the bot of their dreams is built, suggestions on where to compete and game-day strategies and tactics help readers take the next step. An extensive resource section lists parts suppliers, pertinent Web sites, a radio frequency chart, and a glossary.

Author Biography: William Gurstelle is the author of the bestselling Backyard Ballistics. He is also a professional engineer and a technogeek bot builder. Gurstelle and his sons build and compete in the growing number of regional competitions with their own Tosca and Weber the Grillbot.

FROM THE CRITICS

Boston Herald

For techie teens looking to tweak their talents during winter vacation, search no further.

Gannett News Service

For anyone who wants in on the metal mayhem, Gurstelle's manual collects and organizes advice now scattered over the Internet.

The Register Citizen

Compelling.

New Yorker

Handy how-to guide for turning your garage into a robot war zone.

USA Today