Build a "roboter" with common materials?

[Maurize]

Hello community,

As I watched the movie 'Chappie' I'm wondering how those "roboters" are build.

My plan is to control an electrical part from car which moves up and down if power is on.

So this is my current plan:

-end- actuator(from car ~ 12v) <-- ? (must be programmable via usb port) <-- power unit - for electricity(from computer, later from car battery ~ 80-100ah | both have a power output of 12v) -start-

I only need the cut between this components to write the program via usb port (or stick).

So any ideas?