Sony AI research group has developed a robot called "Ace" that can play table tennis (ping-pong), making it the first robot to record as being able to compete against and defeat top-level human players.
This robot has combined extremely fast decision-making capabilities with precise movements, enabling it to defeat professional players during December and January periods.
The Ace robot uses 9 cameras and 3 sensing systems to instantaneously understand the spin rate and trajectory of the ball, and like humans, it can forcefully return shots using a paddle with 8 joints.
According to the professional players who competed against it, the robot is difficult to predict and because it shows no emotional expressions, it is hard to know which shots are weaker, making it challenging to strategize against.
The robot has trained itself through a simulation system, so it can also perform unique responses that humans cannot make.
Currently, while Ace still needs to improve in the area of identifying player weaknesses and changing strategies, this technology is not limited to just one sport.
Sony aims to widely apply these ultra-fast and precise response technologies in manufacturing operations, service-providing robots, and areas critical for safety management.
The fact that robots have now become capable of executing actions at human speed is a significant new milestone for the technology world.
Ref: Nation Thailand
