Gyrowheel Gyroscopic Bicycle Wheel Will Eliminate Training Wheels [Bicycles]

As a child, learning to ride a bike vexed me to no end. While my friends zipped around the neighborhood on two wheels, I plodded along on four, thanks to an embarrassing set of 'training wheels.' Good news: They're doomed.
And it's all thanks to this ingenious gyro-equipped bike wheel. Like the Seqway before it, the Gyrowheel uses, well, a gyro, to maintain balance long enough so that a child can comfortably get the feel for bike riding—without those tiny little wheels messing with their self-esteem.
As you can see in the video, even with a few slaps on the side the wheel remains upright. I too was skeptical at first, but when the video depicted a bike 'ghost riding' across the exhibit floor, I was sold and my childhood was immediately envious.
The 12-inch Gyrowheel will drop on December 1, while a 16-inch version should arrive by Spring 2010.
[Gizmodo via Gyrowheel via OhGizmo]