A lot of the stuff on this list can be achieved right now with the Vex hardware and/or a few additional parts if you really want it. I have personally used and programmed IR Sharp sensors
from acroname.com with the Vex kits to great success. I also, by chance, found a whole ton of 24 pitch plastic gears, including some 24 pitch plastic worm gears that mesh perfectly with the Vex gears. (I think they were from Pitsco or one of the other educator supply companies originally. They were similar to
this.)