The idea isn't new to us but the uses are always interesting. Scientists at Cambridge University used LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robots to automate the creation of artificial bone-like structures. Understandably, they report that NXT robots proved to be much easier to set up and vastly more economical than more high-tech solutions. Other Science Research entities have reported the same bonus this toolkit has provided over the years and its not over by a long-shot. Cambridge's NXT research aid is featured in this video for the 2012 Google Science Fair.
Christopher R. Smith
Littlehorn
Christopher R. Smith
Littlehorn