Hmm, yes I think the power of lego mindstorms is that you can add them to your existing Lego creations to make them move. That's something I'm really missing on most other kits (especially the "magnetic connections" are a con here).
I think I could use prefab bluetooth modules and maybe even an Arduino and just solder them on an adapter board. Probably battery powered at the moment, maybe later add charging circuitry etc.
The enclosure could be 3D printed for now. Maybe I should just have a go at it in one of those 3D cad design programs.
Mass manufacturing is quite a difficult goal to reach, certainly from here.
I think I should aim at creating a prototype (and ask feedback from an university) and then try to sell/fund this through an university/school.
I think there are quite some schools having issues with finding an easy introduction to engineering.
When the product really is ready to use, I could check out the consumer market, to further fund mass production etc.
I might just make a prototype set (with the same sensors/actuators as mindstorms), just to see how many it would cost in production. I would aim for about 60-80eu since it just feels a lot less than 300eu for a mindstorms set.