PITTSBURGH -- Some local scientists believe consumers are savvy enough to build and program their own robots for under $400.

For years, Carnegie Mellon University has made advancements in robotics, but it said anyone could do it.

"You will have a list of parts where you can order each part and build it yourself," said CMU student Tom Lauwers. "It will have detailed instructions for how to build it."

The robots can take many forms, from a three-wheeled model with a mounted camera to a flower loaded with infrared sensors. They can be easily customized and their ability to wirelessly link to the Internet allows users to control and monitor their robots' actions from any Internet-connected computer in the world.

"It's about taking robotics to the masses in the same way the Internet has made it possible to grab information from the world in a way they could never dream of before," said CMU robotics professor Dr. Illah Nourbhahsh.

One researcher said she is using her mechanical creation to keep an eye on her dog.

"She came over and looked at it and could see her picture on the camera," said CMU researcher Emily Hamner. "She had her little ears perked up."

Researchers said their robots could be programmed do almost anything.

For more information, visit www.Ri.CMU.edu.

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