Help with Robot project

[res0005]

Im a beginner meaning I have no experience with robotics and programming.  I have a project for an engineering class where I have to build a floor cleaning robot.  The robot has to fit in the dimensions 12x12x5 and it has to pick up debris in a small square area.  The debris collected by the robot must somehow end up in an easily removable container.  What would be the best and cheapest approach for this project.  Please someone help

Thanks

[jkerns]

Mount the guts of a dustbuster to something like the $50. robot found here on Society of Robots.