The LM386 can be used as a steering driver for a photovoric BEAM robot...AKA Herbie. It can also be adjusted to make a line follower. They're $1.49 at Radio Shack..good deal here
used to build a nice amp in my guitar. 20-200 gain. lots of circuits available on line. sounds great in head phones and thru an external amp. sounds sort of elec guitarish.