You've got a willy wonka styled elevator!
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7201
Another competition in order to take a robot into outer space via an elevator! This should be very interestingWireless power as well
I presume NASA are trying to advance technology by holding competitions. Anyway, it seems quite interesting
EDIT: In other further technology news, here's a real life looking robot which can speak 4 languages!
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7197