Instead of its standard position behind the movement in back of the watch, the 14mm-diameter wheel floats above the movement and dials, encased under the domed crystal on its face.

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The watches have a dial aperture at the position of the balance wheel to show that the movement inside is mechanical.

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The innovation works by sending electronic signals from the steering wheel to a computerised unit that then controls the movement of the tyres, rather than using mechanical links.

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Among the offerings are a bid to park a Mini in a space simply not mini enough for it, a man using a space so small that he has to turn his wheel a dozen times and jolts the neighbouring cars with every movement, and a car reversing heavily into the one behind it - repeatedly.

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When you're not driving the Chappo, the steering wheel can be retracted up and out of the way for easier movement throughout the cabin.

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In addition to independent movement, the wheels can also be locked into "wheel walking mode, " where treacherous terrain can be traversed by crawling instead of rolling over it.

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Orbotix CEO Paul Berberian walked me through how you could control the movement of Sphero through an app for the iPad, iPhone or Android, by simply touching a wheel on the screen or tilting the device in the direction you want the ball to go.

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