Beginner’s Guide for Electronic / Robot Building in Malaysia

I am a total electronic noob who just wanted to have some fun with robotics, and trying to figure out how to do it (after more Googling and Forum Reading).

The best way is to read some books (web resources are good, but they tend to be less organized for learning). Absolute Beginner's Guide to Building Robots is really a very simple introduction to get me started, though I look forward to Robot Building for Beginners. Getting Started in Electronics should help on the fundamental (though you might enjoy the more humorous There Are No Electrons: Electronics for Earthlings). Depending what kind of robot you want to build, you could consider JunkBots, Bugbots, and Bots on Wheels: Building Simple Robots With BEAM Technology if you want to build some self-minded bots, or you could enjoy more control and programming with micro-controller through PIC Robotics: A Beginner's Guide to Robotics Projects Using the PIC Microcontroller (Free e-Books as well).

We might want to pick up some simple projects to work on from the books or the webs, thus we need to get some parts (some smaller companies sell DIY Kit for hobbyist projects), preferably cheaply and locally. We could try:

• Farnell Malaysia
  
• RS Malaysia
  
• ESCOL
  
• BizChip
  
• Cytron
  
• Or Electronics Shop at Jalan Pasar (near Jalan Pudu)

Being an Engineer Wannabe, of course we need some basic EE Engineer’s tool (should cost RM 150 or more), such as

1. Screwdriver set
2. Soldering iron and related soldering tools and supplies
3. Needlenose pliers, Wire cutters/strippers
4. Breadboard and hook-up wire (a.k.a. Breadboard Jumper Kit)
5. Rechargeable Batteries Set (NiMH)
6. Perhaps a Digital multimeter (DMM)

I am more fond of Micro-controller Programming and integration with various sensors, and PIC Microcontroller seems to be popular among hobbyist. I have a feeling the real challenge in robotics/electronics is the circuit design.

I had pick up a simple BEAM Bots project (The Coat Hanger Walker from Absolute Beginner's Guide to Building Robots), and wanted to try on PIC Microcontroller (from PIC Robotics) as well for starter. Let’s hit Jalan Pasar and see what happens next.

PS: Worth reading on LowYat.NET's Electronics Enthusiasts Club forum to find out the state of Robotics Hobbyist in Malaysia.