I fantasize about a computer-controlled robotic setup that could be built to run a camera. It would need to be able to mechanically operate the camera, PLUS connect and disconnect the camera-to-computer USB connection, since the current cameras (at least the Panasonic I have) won't take a picture when connected to the computer.
If I find some time I'll take a look at what camera may take images while connected to a computer. I always thought that you can do that with any decent DSLR, bypassing the internal storage while doing studio work. Gonna have to see what I can find out. Once you have a DSLR that can do it, manual focus glass is a dime a dozen and worlds better than anything you get these days on a point and shoot camera unless you go with something exotic like the Nex-5 or Leica.
Triggering the camera may require a little more, but I know I can run my cameras on the panorama bot fully unattended and that doesn't even take a computer, just a PDA. Just not sure if I can do that directly to computer drive. Never tried it.
