Make Your Own Robot

You no longer have to buy a Roomba to make a robot.

From MAKE:blog:

"At the Consumer Electronics Show, iRobot will publicly release its latest product, the iRobot Create, a programmable robot for entertainment and education. The base of the Create is similar to the Scooba, the company's floor-mopping robot, and the carpet-vacuuming Roomba. It comes with wheels, motors for movement, and sensors that prevent it from tumbling downstairs or getting mired in corners.
iRobot Create

The brushes and fluid tanks, however, have been removed. Instead, the Create comes with a series of connectors that let users attach reticulating arms, cameras and other devices." - Link & gallery.

The iRobot Create is a dependable, rugged and versatile robot base that can be used for uncounted robotics hobby and research applications. It includes a selection of software routines developed for iRobot's commercial appliance bots and a well-engineered, robust chassis designed for longevity. Many will consider this to be a DIY-roboticist's dream come true. " - Link.