Just heard about
these guys on NPR.
I think this image says it all...
Yes, that's a pitching machine...for 2x4's. There's everything from robots that can create lethal blasts of air, to ones that blast bits of molten metal.
I haven't quite figured out the deal with this guy...looks like it crawls around and surrpetitiously melts asphalt or something.
They put on exhibitions occasionally. Needless to say, fire officials aren't their best friend, and their exhibitions have been rarer and rarer. They just did one in LA on the second, wish I'd heard about it sooner.