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This editorial introduction presents an overview of the robotic resources available to AI educators and provides context for the articles in this special issue. We set the stage by addressing the tradeoffs among a number of established and emerging hardware and software platforms, curricular topics, and robot contests used to motivate and teach undergraduate AI. Yet it is only recently that physically embodied agents have become a viable tool in the undergraduate AI classroom. Examples of the flurry of activity in this area include competitions and exhibitions, the growing options for lowcost robot hardware and software, and a number of recent workshops and symposia. This special issue of AI Magazine grew out of the 2004 AAAI spring symposium on Accessible, Hands-on AI and Robotics Education.