Books

You do not have to buy any of these books. Class and free web-based resources should be sufficient for you to do your project.

Arduino

1. Getting Started with Arduino by Massimo Banzi (an excellent introduction to Arduino -- definitely the first book to read if starting new)
2. Make: Arduino Bots and Gadgets: Six Embedded Projects with Open Source Hardware and Software by Tero Karvinen and Kimmo
3. Arduino Robotics by John-David Warren, Josh Adams and Harald Molle (has step by step guides on robot building process)
4. Making Things Talk: Using Sensors, Networks, and Arduino to see, hear, and feel your world by Tom Igoe

Electronics

1. C. Platt, "Make: Electronics" (A very easy and accessible introduction to Electronics)
2. P. Scherz, "Practical Electronics for Inventors 2/E"

Robot Design and Building

1. Robot Builder's Bonanza, 4th Edition by Gordon McComb (one of the best books for beginner robot builders)
2. Physical Computing: Sensing and Controlling the Physical World with Computers by Dan O'Sullivan and Tom Igoe
3. Making Things Move DIY Mechanisms for Inventors, Hobbyists, and Artists by Dustyn Roberts