Right, PICAXE i bought £50 worth of this stuff a while ago, ive not actually started messing with it yet, ill warn you now, the manual for it (which you have to print off yourself) is 400 or so pages!!

Basically its programable ics, although you dont have to remove the ic to program it, all you need to do is put a stereo jack socket, a slider switch (instead of a little jumper) and a couple of resistors on every circuit board you make. Then to program it you use a serial lead (that jas a stereo minijack on the other end) link it to your computer and the write the camands.

Im not sure if its good enough for larger robotics use, (its certanly ok for antweight type robots)

One day ill get to have a mess with it LOL.

If your going to learn about it i suggest you start off with the 8 pin picaxe ic and then move onto the 18 pin.