How is it practical? It's a beautiful design, but far simpler designs can run circles around it in every scenario I can imagine. A small version might make for a fun desk toy. When I think practical, I think Boston Dynamics.
I did. Where else would I get "Masamune Shirow-esque"? I mean control while it's rolling downhill. They put it in semi- mode later, but I don't remember them controlling it while it was going down the driveway.