Best Robotics & Automation Books of 2025

Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence by Max Tegmark is a thought-provoking book that explores the recent advances in AI and how it will impact society, jobs, and our very sense of humanity. Tegmark, an MIT professor, provides a comprehensive and scientific approach to the subject, offering a baseline of knowledge on AI. He raises important questions about the future of AI and how we can ensure it remains beneficial to humanity. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of technology and its impact on our lives.

Make: Electronics: Learning by Discovery is an excellent introductory text for new electronics enthusiasts. The book takes a hands-on approach to teaching, encouraging readers to learn by building their own circuits and making their own mistakes. The third edition includes new diagrams, photographs, and rewritten text. The book also provides affordable component kits and a buying guide for basic tools. The circuits demonstrated, such as a combination lock for a computer or a game that tests the speed of reflexes, are simple and quick to build. The book assumes no prior knowledge and is ideal for beginners. Overall, Make: Electronics is an engaging and informative read for those looking to learn about electronics.

Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control by Stuart Russell is a groundbreaking book that explores a new approach to AI. The author argues that we can avoid the inevitable conflict between humans and machines if we rebuild AI on a new foundation, where machines are designed to be inherently uncertain about the human preferences they are required to satisfy. This new foundation would allow us to create machines that are provably deferential and provably beneficial. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of AI and its impact on society.

The Imagineering Story: The Official Biography of Walt Disney Imagineering is an expansion of the highly acclaimed Disney+ documentary series. The book provides never-before-seen access and insights into the history of Walt Disney Imagineering, covering its entire legacy from day one through future projects. The book includes many insider stories, such as the sculptor Blaine Gibson's inspiration for Pirates of the Caribbean. The Imagineering Story is a must-have for Disney Parks fans and a perfect gift for Disney enthusiasts. Overall, the book is an enjoyable read that offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the magic of Imagineering.

The Digital Mindset: What It Really Takes to Thrive in the Age of Data, Algorithms, and AI is a book that shows how to develop a digital mindset, which is essential to thrive in a world driven by data and powered by algorithms. The authors introduce three approaches—Collaboration, Computation, and Change—that will enable readers to develop the digital skills they need. The book is full of great examples and case studies, making it an excellent read for everyone interested in becoming a better leader, manager, and data-driven decision-maker. Overall, it's an insightful and practical guide to future-proofing yourself and your organization.

The Encyclopedia of Electronic Components Volume 1 is an incredibly detailed and informative guide to electronics parts. It includes photographs, schematics, and diagrams, making it easy to understand what each component does, how it works, and why it's useful. The book is perfect for teachers, hobbyists, engineers, and students of all ages. It's well-organized, concise, and precise, and provides reliable, fact-checked information that is both current and accurate. The author has done an excellent job of distilling information from hundreds of sources, making this a more consistent and comprehensive source of information than online sources, product datasheets, and manufacturer's tutorials. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in electronics and is a must-have for beginners and experienced users alike.

The Encyclopedia of Electronic Components Volume 3 by Charles Platt is a comprehensive reference book covering a vast range of sensing devices. With clear organization by component type, the book provides reliable, fact-checked information with photographs, schematics, and diagrams. It is an ideal resource for teachers, hobbyists, engineers, and students of all ages. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, you will find fascinating details about electronics parts you've never come across before. Overall, this three-volume set is an incredibly detailed, instructive, and authoritative resource for anyone interested in electronics and robotics.

"AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order" by Kai-Fu Lee is a thought-provoking book that explores the impact of AI on the future of work. Lee argues that AI will have a significant impact on both blue-collar and white-collar jobs, and provides a clear description of which jobs will be affected and how soon. He also discusses how we can provide solutions to some of the most profound changes in the future of human history. This New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of technology and its impact on society."

The Encyclopedia of Electronic Components Volume 2 is a valuable resource for anyone interested in electronics. The book provides detailed information on LEDs, LCDs, audio, thyristors, digital logic and amplification with clear diagrams and photographs. It is perfect for beginners and experienced users alike, offering comprehensive coverage of each component's function, variants, and common problems. The fact-checked information is more reliable than online sources and manufacturer's tutorials, making it an authoritative reference for teachers, hobbyists, engineers, and students of all ages. The Encyclopedia of Electronic Components is an incredibly detailed and unique set of books that should be on the shelf of any electronics enthusiast.

Genius Makers: The Mavericks Who Brought AI to Google, Facebook, and the World by Cade Metz is a captivating read that delves into the untold tech story of our time. The book presents the journey of two visionaries, Geoff Hinton and Demis Hassabis, who revolutionized the field of artificial intelligence and sparked an arms race among tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and OpenAI. With exclusive reporting and hundreds of interviews, the author takes readers into the heart of the tech industry and explores the conflict between national interests, shareholder value, and scientific knowledge. Overall, Genius Makers is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of technology and AI's impact on our lives.