Abstract The main objective of this article is to promote the use of inexpensive and realistic prototypes to verify the applicability of state-of-the-art technologies in the area of mobile robotics and intelligent manufacturing systems. We propose a toy prototype based on a LEGO® Mindstorms™ RCX brick extended with a PDA and wireless LAN. We describe and evaluate the application of an agent-oriented approach for a prototype of an autonomous transportation system. This transportation system is an integral part of the FLIP project in which intelligent collaboration during transportation and processing of LEGO® bricks is investigated.