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I don't know if this is too beginner level, but I think it's worth a mention: Snap Circuits. It's kind of like those old learn electronics kits with the spring connectors, but in this case they snap together with magnets. I would think if you went through all the kits you would learn all the basics pretty quickly, and then you'll be more comfortable moving on to the arduinos, etc.

Also checkout RobotShop for more advanced stuff.

only $865 in lots of 25

You're right, a .NET software development shop is a myth, and this doesn't really exist: http://www.robotshop.com/ghi-fez-spider-net-development-starter-kit.html .

I think you meant:
There's plenty of businesses in hosting, supercomputing, science, robotics, software development, or some other little cottage industry.

with nearly half($70k) being for the laser lidar system. ... Besides that, there's lidar systems coming out as cheap as $250 per vehicle

Where there is a will, there is a way. LIDAR systems are hideously expensive systems costing at least 5 digits, so designing one that is cheap enough to use in a vacuum cleaner would be impossible, right? Well, no. You can build one for $30. IEEE Conference Paper.

It's amazing what mass production can do to price. Just ask Apple.

Personally I'd combine an Ardupilot and a gas-powered RC plane, but just to deal with the naysayers here is a turn-key solution with a built in camera, GPS, autopilot etc. and a ~50km range:

http://www.robotshop.com/ca/cropcam-unmanned-aerial-vehicle-uav.html

p.s. Drones are illegal in the USA IF AND ONLY IF the fly over 400ft. This is not generally enforced for non-commercial operators working outside of normal flight paths.

There are numerous kits available, best sources for choosing one would be http://www.pololu.com/ , http://www.trossenrobotics.com/ , http://www.robotshop.com/ , http://www.lynxmotion.com/ , http://www.makershed.com/ and a bunch of others. http://sparkfun.com/ and http://adafruit.com/ for more general electronics components

Cant really recommend one in particular, as it depends on what you want to do. There are several categories : 2wheel differential drive bases, legged hexapods, 4wd bases, even bipeds and robotic arms.

If you get one that is designed to be Arduino-compatible, and can take any number of Arduino expansion shields, you will have endless possibilities. I'd say easiest starting point is a complete 2WD kit with some accessory sensors. This is a nice one http://www.makershed.com/product_p/mkseeed7.htm , comes with motors and all. Just pick a "mainboard" and motor driver shield and you are good to go.

The easiest way to mow a lawn:

Step 1: Buy one of these: http://www.robotshop.com/ca/ka-lawnbott-lb1200-spyder-robot-lawn-mower.html

Step 2: Turn it on

Step 3: Put feet up

Maybe if they fastened the laptop onto a Roomba or something that would have helped.

There are companies that offer such things. Probably impractical for the OP though.