Learn to Build Robots

Question

I have knowledge with programming languages like C++, C#, Java. I have also developed various websites and other applications.

Building Robots is my dream and I planning to chase it. But all that I know about Electronics (Electricals) is Electricity flows through wires. I know it will take a very long time for me to reach there.

Could you please help me to start. What are all the subjects I should read and in which order? Any books / online references will be of much help.

Ps : At this juncture I wont be able to go to any college or join a degree, so please suggest the subjects or online courses. Also I have no plans to take up a career in this field. I just want to learn.

Answer 1

Building robots is an inter-disciplinary field. Check out-

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb648760.aspx

Answer 2

I would recommend starting with basic circuits. Check out a prominent university's robotics catalog / curriculum to get a feel for the progression of knowledge.

Answer 3

In Germany/Europe there are few universities offering "Robotronik" (thats roughly: "How to build a robotor") as degree.(Zurich, Dortmund, Berlin) Maybe you could find some universities in your country that offer similar degrees.

Answer 4

A great deal of the electronics you need for robots is digital, and easily understandable by you.

Get yourself an arduino board and begin experimenting, you will be there before you know it

Alternatively, as Nick says, check out Lego Mindstorms

Answer 5

Stanford School Of Engineering has a series on courses that they had put online including a "Introduction to Robotics"