PIC chip
From FIRSTwiki
A PIC chip, or Programmable Interrupt Controller, is a chip common in embedded and controller applications. The specific variety used in the 2004 Robot Controller is the PIC18F8520 made by Microchip.
PICaxe = PIC + loader code
From memory, www.Rev-Ed.co.uk offers PICaxe, as well as a Programmer's Editor that comes with -embedded- tech'l info.
There's a robot kit (and others) available - built around a PICaxe - aimed at the education market.

