Why don't you design robots with Microsoft Robotics Studio as a compromise?
The software allows you to design the robot (3D of course), program it (I think it's in C# though) and test its operation. I don't know if you can design two at a time, I'll check it out. Point is, after making sure it operates in the virtual world, you can implement the design in actual hardware (even the physical design can be directly prepared by a print shop that can etch it from some form of plastic, won't take 5 minutes)
the robot seen at this link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=244294&id=516889797&l=35e9653c63 was originally designed in Autocad 3D and then etched in plastic parts. I suppose the same thing can be done with MS robotics
