Confuse-a-cat : seeking dirt cheap, wheeled, programmable robot

Question

I was playing the old "confuse the cat with a flash-light" game, when I thought that I might like to program a confuse-a-cat robot.

Something, probably with tracks, which can right itself if he flips it over, and which I can program to move randomly around a room, turning at walls, making an occasional sound or flashing a light.

Since I am on a very tight budget, I wondered if there is some cheap kit which I can program ...

Arduino, Raspberry Pi, any platform, so long as it is programmable.

Thanks in advance for your help

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[Update] my budget is $50, but the less, the better.

How can I get this unheld? It is held as too broad, but I don't really know what I can say, other than:

• budget $50
• programmable
• autonomous
• wheeled or tracked
• can somehow sense obstacles

What more can I add? Battery operated, I guess. I didn't actually state that.

What else? Robust & cat-proof? :-)

Answer 1

Its going to be hard to find a kit for $50 or less, but these are some kits for an affordable price which can be programmed to do what I think you might be looking for.

The first one here includes everything to build the bot: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arduino-Starter-Kit-eBOT-Z-Smart-Car-Robot-Chassis-Bundle-DIY-New-from-USA-/252089921982?hash=item3ab1baf1be:g:vdEAAOSwrklVWX0K

This one is just the chassis and associated parts, if you already have an arduino and other parts laying around: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ardokit-Smart-Robot-Car-Chassis-Kit-Speed-Encoder-Battery-Box-For-Arduino-/162229636923?hash=item25c5a3cf3b:g:1WwAAOSw-CpX9iWt

This one has tracks but costs a bit more and I'm not too familiar with its capabilities but since its arduino based it can be programmed to do whatever: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Makeblock-Creative-DIY-Bluetooth-Tank-Car-Robot-Starter-Kit-for-Arduino-Blue-USA-/262657815040?hash=item3d27a03200:g:5kcAAOSwFdtX0ogB

I know these links are frowned upon and this probably isn't an acceptable answer, but its going to be hard to answer without a link to a product that fits the question.

Answer 2

This looks very promising.

It's a crab/spider like device, using cardbaord for legs, and an Arduino to control it.

From the comments on the linked page:

the servos cost $24 for set of 10 (bought 2 set) & the shield was $7 on Amazon, joystick was $7+shipping on digi-key and the transceivers were 4/$6.50 on ebay. The Arduino nano and UNO I have along with the LED, wires, etc.