Seems to me that until we have robots that collect energy and resources and build other robots - or alternatively, some kind of programmably reconfigurable substratum like a low-tech T-1000 (Terminator 2) - the capital costs are hard to overcome.
Exactly! that is why I am so interested in Self-reconfiguring modular robotics, there are several companies that are starting to offer modules to the general public, although all but one are for manually reconfigured system. But I see a lot of movement in both business and research over the last years. I think that it is likely that you will be able to buy reasonably priced Self-reconfiguring systems in 5-15 years. and in the meantime you can play with cublets :-) http://www.modrobotics.com/blog/?p=187 more on SRCMR http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-reconfiguring_modular_robo...
