Here is a preliminary design for my first robot. White is the frame, which will be 1 in steel square tube. Green is the motor and gearing for my actuating arm (haven't drawn it in yet. Yellow is the electronics housing unit. Orange is drive motors, axles, and gearing. Red are obviously tires. Blue is the battery pack. I was thinking of putting brushed aluminum sheet metal on it as a skin, but I might go with anodized aluminum instead.
Parts yet to be added are a camera, some sort of obsticle detection system, thermal sensors, cooling fans, wireless modem, microphone, and speaker. I might also add a GPS sensor, external thermometer, and humidifier. a smaller LCD display covered with acrylic is also not out of the question.
Dimensions are 2' x 2' x 3'. Each of the drive motors produces like 4 hp, so im not worried about weight or movement issues. actuating motor produces like 2.9 hp so again, im not worried about not being able to lift anything normal. The arm will most likely be made out of round tube steel, but square might be more convenient as i'll already have some from the frame.
There is no budget for this, and it will not be completed in a timely manner. Right now its just an idea but I think it will turn out nicely once I'm done with it.
