A surface vehicle capable of overcoming obstacles is disclosed in which the vehicle accelerates vertically while having a horizontal velocity. The network router management interface provides an application programming interface that permits client applications to formulate configuration and operational requests according to an extensible markup language, such as XML. The apparatus includes a three phase electrical device having legs A, B, and C associated with corresponding phases of a three phase AC power system and switches operable to connect the legs of the device with the power system, wherein the switches are configured to be actuated in an order determined by an energization sequence, and wherein the energization sequence is either ABC or ACB. Each of the tubes has an end received in one of the tube openings and extending past the interior side. The actuator is preferably a comparatively weak electric motor that stalls as the stop engages the piston; and the stall is sensed to end motor activation.