Prototino an Arduino clone for Prototyping
One Idea can be an Arduino with a CPLD and Universal I/O driver for robotics. This can come with a Visual IDE which is close or better than the old Visual Basic 6 in usability.

An Youngster can just Drag Drop Components and Link them to build his Robot or Home Automation Solution. Robotics Designers can have the option of looking at the code/hex if needed.
SpikenzieLabs - Kits and Projects
6135 de Maisonneuve West, Suite 12, Montreal, QC H4A 2A3, Canada.