A wearable device can be worn by a user, and can include one or more sensors to detect user gestures performed by the user. The wearable device can further include a wireless communication module to establish a communication link with a self-propelled device, and a controller that can generate control commands based on the user gestures. The control commands may be executable to accelerate and maneuver the self-propelled device. The controller may then transmit the control commands to the self-propelled device over the communication link for execution by the self-propelled device.