[new cruelty]

I still see no advantage in doing a high tech balancing act on two wheels over what can be done for nothing on 3 or 4 wheels.

• University researchers armed with Pentagon funding have programmed Segway robots that can open doors, avoid obstacles, and chase soccer balls -- all without human control.

• Researchers say potential applications for the robots include performing search missions on the battlefield, transporting injured soldiers to safety, or following humans around while hauling their gear.

[DManA]

Those two things could be done just as well on 3 or 4 wheels with a lot less electronics and moving parts needed to balance on 2.