Innovations in the world of robotics are multiplying, with many
cutting-edge breakthroughs, and this exciting and timely new book for
young readers explores one particularly intriguing area: the world of
robo-animals, or zoobots. In an attempt to design robots that can solve
problems or perform tasks that humans can't, or just can't do easily,
roboticists have been looking at the unique skills some animals have.
Using something called mechatronics --- mechanical and electrical
engineering combined with computer science --- they are finding ways to
closely mirror those skills in robot form. Some fascinating examples
from the book of what zoobots can do include: finding survivors of a
fire using sensitive, computerized "whiskers"; scaling skyscraper walls
using super stickiness; or delivering drugs deep within the human body
using microscopic whiptails for locomotion. Twelve zoobots are
described, each on its own two-page spread.Award-winning children's
author Helaine Becker's text is comprehensive, yet clear and lively, and
is made more manageable by being broken up into shorter segments. The
futuristic design of the book includes vivid, detailed color
illustrations by Alex Ries, of both the zoobot prototypes as well as the
animals from which their skills were derived. This imaginative and
interesting nonfiction book will definitely capture the imaginations of
technology buffs. It also has enormous potential for classroom use in
exploring everything from basic technology and robots, to engineering
concepts, to inventions. A glossary and an index make it work well as a
wonderful reference tool.
