Jonathon Kambouris
WowWee MiP
Built in collaboration with the robotics lab at the University of California at San Diego, the MiP, or mobile inverted pendulum, is the first self-balancing consumer robot. The device uses a set of multiaxis gyroscopes and accelerometers to remain upright. It can respond to gesture commands, zip around corners, and carry small items such as a soda can, all while remaining vertical. The best part? Users can network up to eight MiPs together for synchronized movement. Robot dance party!