[Animats]

Those are consumer-grade robots, with much better software. (They probably upgraded the motor controllers, too. But those are only crappy because hobby servo technology is stuck in the 1970s.)

[sitkack]

Those little OP3 robots are using 250$ each dynamixel digital networked servos.

http://en.robotis.com/shop_en/list.php?ca_id=202020

[Animats]

Yes, those things cost too much due to low demand.