After a quick browse I found this: http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/categories/products/universi...

Certainly closer to real robotics, with servos, metal parts, etc.

Wow, how long has this been around? Does it use the standard LEGO attachment system or is it all nuts and bolts? Looks sort of like Meccano.

It's actually produced by a Pitsco, Inc. Much like Meccano it's put together with nuts and bolts. There are parts called Hard Point connectors to interface with Lego. http://www.legoeducation.us/eng/product/tetrix_hard_point_co...

Looks like a joint venture for educational purposes.

Tetrix with an NXT brick is the basis for FIRST Tech Challenge robots, if you want to see some examples of what high school age kids build with it. http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc

I've been looking at this system too. http://matrixrobotics.com Interfaces perfectly with Lego and is more Lego like in the way you can build things. Their holes line up perfectly with Lego holes. Pretty cool.

You should put a limit on your text boxes, I got a server error when giving it a really long title.

It would be really nice if this could happen, currently we have not much option but to relocate to Sydney for tech work.

Newcastle has been searching for a way it revitalise the CBD, and I could see the proposed being a help. The University of Newcastle is developing a new campus in nearby Honeysuckle, with the business school being the first to move.

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/news/2011/03/17/university-city-...

This could work well with a startup orientated space that can be fed by students from the new campus.

However, as with many things, it needs money and without any tech success stories from and still operating in the area, sourcing investment for this specific use will be hard.