Robots (Physical Ones)

So /proggles/, lately I've been getting into building robots and remotely operated vehicles, and I have a problem.

I just can't fucking hardware. I'd consider myself a pretty witty/competent programmer, but I've never really done a project where I need to figure out how to power and operate motors (or even what sort of motors to purchase).

I know I can use an Arduino or something similar for microcontrolling, that's not an issue, but do any of you guys build robots/remotely operated vehicles? If so, are you aware of any guides to hardware that you can share?

>>2
I'm not a hardware hacker at all, I'm a CS student.

>>3
Thanks. Diavolino sounds promising.

My current project is a remotely operated car. It's going to carry a network bridge and operate over my school's massive wi-fi network so that it will have a large range. I want it to be all-terrain and pretty rugged, so cheap RC stuff won't cut it, unfortunately. In addition to the motor problem, I'm unfamiliar with how to power everything too... Maybe a car or lawnmower battery?