1. An apparatus for rapid configuration and reconfiguration of modular components into a robotic assemblage comprising: a plurality of modular components, comprising at least a first modular component and a second modular component; each of the plurality of modular components further comprising: at least one connector conveying mechanical stability, power, and data communication when connected by the connector of at least one other modular component, and said connector being designed so as to provide compatible connection to any other modular component having such connector a processor and data storage for storing and using the modular component's identity, functionality, and software commands that control said functionality, and for conveying the modular component's identity, functionality, and software commands that control said functionality to the at least one other modular component; and, at least one of a sensor, an actuator, and a bus attached to the processor for enabling software commands to be used to control at least one of the sensor, the actuator, and the bus; an assemblage of the plurality of modular components by connecting each modular component's connector with the connector of at least one other modular component thereby enabling a user to selectively establish a first specific configuration of modular components having a first desired combined functionality and to rearrange and reconfigure the assemblage into at least a second specific configuration having a second desired combined functionality; and, a set of software instructions accessible to and executable by the processor of at least one modular component for executing, monitoring, and controlling any of the first desired combined functionality and the second desired combined functionality of the assemblage.