Sony has unveiled 'Ace', a robotic arm that can compete against professional table tennis players using advanced AI and camera systems. The robot, developed under the company's Project Ace initiative, was tested on a full-size court in Tokyo and demonstrated its ability to adapt during rallies and serve under official rules.
Ace uses reinforcement learning rather than fixed programming, allowing it to learn and improve over time. Its unique feature is its ability to read the logo on the ball to gauge spin and react within split seconds.
The robot's speed and physical reach are kept close to human levels, but its vision and consistency stand out. The study suggests that AI trained in virtual settings can now transfer into fast, physical tasks, with potential uses beyond sport.
Researchers described the findings in a paper published in Nature, highlighting the potential applications of this technology beyond table tennis.