Remember The Heathkit HERO? Check Out '912'
moorley writes "The 912 Mobile Platform built by White Box Robotics based on VIA motherboards as part of their PC Bots program. Still in prototype but they are projecting to have it out by Summer 2004. They have no prices yet, but estimate 'building or buying the 912 for about the cost of a decent PC.'"
A robot needs to be more then a computer on wheels. The essence of what makes a robot neat is the idea that it can interact with its surroundings.
For this to be really fantastic, it needs an arm, and by arm I mean something better than a piece of plastic with a cupholder on the end of it.
For something really interesting, offer to put a mounting point on the front for an arm to attach to and an industry standard servo controller. Total investment, $100, and now your users can build their own arm. This is assuming that the company doesn't have the expertise to make the arms themselves.
The price? $599-699 for preorders. That's cheaper than an AIBO...
.: 2+2 = PI SQRT(1+N)
Didn't you learn anything from Robot Wars?
Add circular saw to it. And some sound effects.
Just imagine such a bot drive after you with a the saw blade spinning, while its robotic voice says things like "destroy all humans", "resistance is futile", "Kill the lifeform"...
Guess that'll keep the kids out of crime.