Good evening everyone!
I have build my share of robots before (Lego mindstorms, Vex, and Basic programming and hardware for those too). I recently decided to build a few new robots. I want to build two-three well-rounded robots, one for work and one for outside of work. I want to break it down to identify the capabilities I would like each to have and some design ideas. I would like to have some input from any of you who has much more experience than I that can give me some pointers, ideas, or any other useful “tid-bit”. I will apologize for the thread being TLDR already, but the information can help with the outcome of the robots I think.
[size=5]Work Robot[/size]
Background Information
I work for a local school system in the technology dept. I used to be the guy my coworkers would choose to go through the crawl space/attic at a school we needed to run a cat5e or cat6 cable because of my height. After a severe back injury became worse, I was told I can no longer do these things by my doctor. I am now trying to find a replacement for me, lol.
Requirements
The idea behind this one is to build a robot that is capable of running a VGA of cat5e/cat6 cable within either a drop ceiling (T-grid) or crawl space/attic at a school or center. I want it to be able to grab the cable from the starting location and be able to traverse its way either autonomously, with help via remote (with remote camera) or both autonomously and remotely driven. I know it needs to be lightweight, at least under 10lbs (15lbs at the very most). It also needs to be able to traverse over or around beams, air-ducts, brick, and other objects one might find in a ceiling. It also needs to be capable of crossing 6"-1’ holes (its the wall voids) either via the suspension or with the help of something on board. It might be easier to create a lightweight robot strictly for the drop-ceiling (T-grid) use and another one that can be heavier for use in crawl-space/attic.
Robot design
I thought the use of treads would be a better idea, but I am not entirely sure. If treads are the best idea, which tread kit would work better for this, LynxMotion’s Tri-Track, Tamiya treads, custom treads (open to ideas), or a different tread kit not listed? I would like it to have an arm for grabbing cables, not sure if I need one or two? What would be the best solution, how many hands, and how long of an arm? I even thought about building my own hand similar to that of the Mythbuster hand Jamie created for the arrow catching robot during the “Ninja Myths” episode (Season 9, Episode 78, Catching an Arrow) but I’m not sure if that is the best solution. While I’ve considered using an Arduino for the robot, I’m not sure if it can handle what I need from the robot; that is remote control, video camera output, servo controls (10+ servos) plus 2 motors for drive, and the various sensors needed like obstacle avoidance. What type of battery would you recommend? how much mAh and what voltage? Should I use 12v and 7.4 battery or run everything from the 12v, just step-down my voltage to 7.4 when needed?
[size=5]Other Robot[/size]
Outside of work
[size=2]The information on this one will be much less because I don’t have as clear of a picture to this one yet.
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I want to build a robot with characteristics of both the iRobot’s PackBot & the movie’s Short Circuit’s Johnny 5. While they do have a kit by LynxMotion, I would like to build the unit myself without the help of a kit for the entire unit. I do want to use the Tri-Track chassis unless there is a better chassis.
This one I would like to be able to control it either via laptop or an Android device. I am not sure if I should go with Arduino, Paralax, BasicAtom (like BotBoard), .Net, or Windows via a Single Board Computer? If Arduino is the best solution, should I choose a regular arduino, botboarduino, or some other arduino “flavor”? I want this one to also hold a video camera to provide live view from it. This one will definitely be autonomous, occasionally be controlled wirelessly.
I would be more than happy to answer questions to anything I typed, left out, or is not entirely clear. 
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! I can better explain myself if I need to, I’ve been writing this half asleep.
Again, Thank you all ahead of time! 