When I was a kid, I wanted a robot. Heck, I wanted to build my own robot. My dream came true years later when I got my first Lego Mindstorms kit. Of course, I wanted my robot to understand and speak English, and I was really hoping it would be intelligent.

I was a lonely kid. I was just looking for a friend. Okay?

Robots were a far-off dream during my childhood, but they have since become commonplace. And if the experts are right, robot technology will continue to expand its role in our lives.

But you don't have to take my word for it. You know who's cashed in his chips and decided to devote the next part of his career to robotics? James Gosling.

That's right. The inventor of Java, after a brief (and apparently fruitless) tenure at Google, has joined a start-up called Liquid Robotics. The company's business is built around a sort of floating robot that traverses the ocean, gathering data, analyzing it, and beaming it home.

At the other end of the cost and complexity spectrum – but still incredibly cool – is the RoboKing Triple Eye, a new robotic vacuum cleaner that communicates via cell phone.

New Scientist maintains a good set of articles about breakthroughs in robot applications and technology here. If you'd rather check out innovations in robotics live and in-person – with no PowerPoint presentations from the marketing department, guaranteed – consider attending the next Maker Faire in your area. (Here's some footage from YouTube to give you a taste: Maker Faire 2008 – Robots!)

I shouldn't have to remind you that robots and cool programming challenges go together. Robotics has hit critical mass in several industries and is set to explode into more in the near future. There's still time to get in at the ground floor. Why not go for it?

Web recommendation: Take a look at James Gosling's blog. You know of Gosling as the creator of Java. But he's also a family man and an explorer at programming's frontiers. His site will keep you up-to-date on his new work developing software for far-roving robots. J.D. says check it out.

J.D. Hildebrand has written hundreds of articles for dozens of publications and online communities dedicated to software development. He recently relocated to a small town outside Belgrade – stop by if your travels take you through Serbia.