"You're paying for reputation, " says Michael Garretson, compliance engineering manager at RadiSys, a telecom-equipment maker.

FORBES: By the Numbers

"We focused a lot on usability and copied a lot of gamer interfaces so that users can pick it up pretty quickly, " said Sandia engineer Justin Garretson, the lead software developer.

ENGADGET: Gemini-Scout robot can scope out mining accidents, may save lives (video)