Thanks, yep I ended up going with this. Got a pretty sweet set ( http://shop.lego.com/en-NZ/Excavator-42006 ) with the motor add on. Just trying to overcome ridiculous regional pricing now if you don't live in the states you pay though the nose ( https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6403660 )

Mindstorms! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Mindstorms