The Universal Planar Manipulator
macsox writes: "Wired News has an article about surfaces that, using vibrations, can move objects around at the owner's whim -- for example, using a mouse as a remote desktop arranger. Also envisioned: rooms that redecorate themselves. The scientist's page is here."
and what if we put on the table 22 little plastic men, 11 each from two opposing football squads... oh yeah.