Powered by AI and advanced cameras, the robot responds instantly by predicting the ball’s trajectory.
Dubai: Table tennis robot “Ace” has been shown competing against a professional ping pong player in project test footage shared by Sony. Using a network of cameras and artificial intelligence, the robot performs complex real-time interactions by accurately predicting the ball’s trajectory.
The study, published in the journal Nature, highlights how the AI-powered robotic arm can manage the speed, spin, and complexity of elite-level table tennis. Roughly the size of a full table, Ace combines rapid decision-making with agile, powerful movements, although it operates with noticeable mechanical noise.
During testing, Ace played against five elite players and two professionals, winning three out of five matches against elite opponents, while the remaining contests were closely fought. Researchers said the robot has continued to improve since the study was submitted, showing stronger performances against professional players with faster rallies and more aggressive shot placement.
Sony AI said the breakthrough marks a major step toward building machines that can function reliably in fast-changing real-world environments. While earlier table tennis robots were limited to amateur-level rallies, Ace signals a move toward expert-level AI performance in physical tasks.
