Murata's unicycle robot strikes a balance

Japanese electronics maker Murata Manufacturing demoed its Murata Girl unicycle robot for the first time in the U.S. at CES 2011. The all-white acrobat consistently drew crowds with its balance-beam act.

Basically a showpiece for Murata's electronics prowess, the unicyclist can move forward or backward at 2 inches per second and negotiate a straight or curved balance beam. Like its cousin Murata Boy, it uses two gyro sensors and a flywheel to maintain its balance.