This is by no means a comprehensive list! Just consider these a good start... :-)
Useful components
Acroname - Robot kits and components
All Electronics Corp - Surplus and discount electronics parts.
BG Micro - Surplus and discount electronics parts.
DigKey Electronics - massive catalog of electronics parts.
HVW Technologies Inc - Microcontrollers, motor control, rf remote development tools.
Images SI Inc - Servo grippers, Dinsmore compass, other useful parts.
Mouser Electronics - massive catalog of electronics parts.
Jameco Electronics - massive catalog of electronics parts.
Lynxmotion - Robot kits and components.
SpeakJet - An inexpensive speech synthesis/sound effects chip
Speechchips - Carries several speech IC's (including the Speakjet and the hard-to-find SP0256).
Robotic Inspiration
As somebody once said, we stand on the shoulders of giants! These are websites I have found that have extremely useful information, OR show some robot I that find inspiring. If you are looking for ideas...ENJOY!
A-Pod hexapod - This hexapod is almost beyond words! Watch the videos!
Shigeo Hirose robots - The beautiful inspiring (maybe even scary) robots of Shigeo Hirose. The video here is well worth watching. From Gizmodo.com
DJ Sures modded Wall-e - DJ Sures rebuilt a cheap Wall-e toy and made it awesome!
A very helpful series of articles. Some good stuff that will be put to use in some of my future robots.
Bumper logic - How to put in bumper sensors that work.
IRProx logic - How to use proximity sensors.
Stasis logic - How to keep your robot from getting stuck in a corner.
Subsumption - Subsumption explained!
Docking logic - Autonomous recharging for your robot.
Robot chargers - A discussion on designing robot battery chargers.
Useful websites (components, parts, & tips)
Arduino Home Page - Nearly everything you want to know about the Arduino is here. Free software!
DigiKey Electronics - Mailorder source for electronic parts.
Jameco Electronics - Mailorder source for electronic parts.
OOPic Home Page - Almost everything you want to know about the OOPic is here. Free software!
Parallax Inc Basic Stamp - Almost everything you want to know about the Stamp is here, also have a good selection of sensors and mechanical parst. Free software!
Pololu Robotics & Electronics - Mailorder source for robot kits, parts, and electronics
Servo City - Inexpensive mailorder source for model airplane servos and parts.
Solarbotics - BEAM robotics resource some useful components for other robots too (check out
their gear motors).
BEAM circuits library - THE source for BEAM robots. BEAM circuit examples and much useful information that could be used for any robot.
SozBots - 16oz fighting robots. Radio control , motors, other useful parts, construction tips.
SparkFun - Great mailorder source for harder to find components. Check out their tutorial section while you are there!
TechToys Today - Many project code examples (mostly PICmicro). This website belongs to the author
of the BEST book on OOPic microcontrollers
"Programming and Customizing The OOPic Microcontroller" ISBN 0-07-142084-3. If you use OOPic's go take a look at this book!
PC Board Manufactures (just a small sampling)
Batch PCB - VERY inexpensive custom PC boards in small/single quatities! You may have to wait a bit, but you almost can't find boards any cheaper (for now U.S. only). You will also need a schematic/layout editor - EagleCad below is what I use.
PCB 123 - Inexpensive custom PC boards. FREE schematic/board layout CAD software.
EagleCad - Schematic/board layout CAD software. One used by MANY hobbyists and PC board firms.
ExpressPCB - Inexpensive custom PC boards. FREE schematic/board layout CAD software.
Preparing EagleCad designs - Nice article by Hackaday.com on preparing EagleCad designs for manufacture.
Robotics Magazines & News sites
Robots.net - Online robotics news
Robot Magazine - A magazine about personal robotics!
MakeZine- Online magazine/news about making and building things (robots too).
Servo Magazine - A magazine about personal robotics!