[VIDEO] Ping Pong Robot

Ping Pong Robot at Omron Automation Lab

The ping-pong robot was unveiled at CEATEC in Japan.

The robot was developed in about 6 months and it stood at 2.7 m (8.9 ft) and weighing 600 kg (1,323 lb).  Omron’s work on the sensing and control technology were meant to show “an enriched society marked by optimal harmonization of people and machines.”

The whole algorithm was a simple one:  (1) The robot monitors the position of the ball, the human opponent and the opponent’s bat before calculating the ball’s likely trajectory and velocity; (2) The robot then calculates the output required to return the ball to a spot that makes it easy for the opponent to hit and; (3) Hit the ball at the same velocity as it was received.

The process is takes a fraction of a second.

Source: ARMdevices.net