UPDATE 3.31.14
These guys make a great looking low cost motion control device:
http://syrp.co.nz/products/genie
________
I needed a motion control rig for a viral video so I hacked one together using a Lego Mindstorms kit. The NXT brick was programmed to operate at different speeds to simulate a person casually walking. The final bill for supplies was less than $500.
Photo of supplies: http://masongentry.com/work/motion_co...