In fact, Boss had flawlessly accomplished the 19 missions given to the 11 finalist robots in the competition--parking at precise locations, negotiating a mix of onroad and offroad driving, and avoiding the other robotic and manned cars that roamed the streets of an abandoned airforce base--all without a human behind the wheel.

FORBES: Viva La Robotic Revolution!

Those of us brave enough to take the ferris wheel were treated to spectacular views of Japan's second biggest city from our base in the MM21 area - a futuristic zone that wants to create an image for the 21st century and beyond.

BBC: World Cup memory lane