An article over at New Scientist digs into research in Sweden to develop robots that can “remotely tap into each other’s sensors and computers in order to perform tricky tasks”.  Örebro University’s Robert Lundh says his robots do not use hard-coded cooperative behavior.  Rather, he tells New Scientist, the robots “plan for themselves how to draw on their capabilities and those of others.” 

In one experiment, two robots were tasked to carry a fixed length of wood on their heads.  Relaying information about the other’s speed and direction allowed them to keep the wood beam balanced.  Another experiment demonstrated how two robots with limited vision could help each other through a doorway.

The article is a good read, so check it out.  No mention of the LEGO Mindstorms NXT, but with multiple sets, similar experiments are certainly possible.