“Japanese company Murata Manufacturing created a bicycling robot to show off some of their various sensors. The robot tentatively named MuRata Boy (although some articles are calling it Murata Seisaku-kun) is equipped with four types of sensors: two gyro sensors used to detect angular velocity and inclination; an ultrasonic sensor to detect obstacles; and a shock sensor to detect rough surfaces. The robot is connected to a PC via wireless LAN connection for forward, stop, and backward type commands and he can follow pre-programmed paths. It's about 2 foot tall and can reach speeds of 30 inches per second and can even balance while at a complete stop”. – Robots.net

Photos: Japan's electronics equipment maker MuRata Manufacturing Co., Ltd's showcased their bicycle-riding robot “MuRata Boy” during the CEATEC Japan 2006 exhibition on October 3, 2006 in Chiba, Japan. The “MuRata Boy” robot can ride up a 25-degree slope, stop without losing its balance and make an S-curve without falling. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)