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Free Throw Shooting Robots

Toyota's CUE Robot is a Literal Free Throw Machine

— March 19, 2018 — Tech
Engineers at Toyota in Japan have come together to design the CUE robot, which has the unique ability to shoot free throws with startling accuracy. The robot was officially unveiled in the B League 1, a professional men's basketball league in Japan, and was playing for Arvalq Tokyo. The team behind the CUE robot was inspired by Sakuragi Hanamichi -- a character from the Japanese manga 'Slam Dunk' -- and was specifically designed to make free throws at a higher shot percentage than any Japanese professional.

The engineer's CUE robot can currently shoot from 12 feet away and can make 200,000 different shots with near-perfect accuracy. AI training was used to improve the robot's ability, allowing robot to analyze and adjust its shots. At this point, CUE can only shoot basketballs because it is locked to a platform and connected with wires, but the team hopes the machine will later master skiing, football and boxing.
Trend Themes
1. Robotic Free Throw Shooters - The development of robotic free throw shooters presents opportunities for automating sports training and improving athletic performance.
2. AI-enhanced Sports Training - The use of AI in sports training can revolutionize skill development and enable more precise analysis and adjustment of techniques.
3. Multi-sport Robotic Athletes - Creating versatile robots that can excel in multiple sports opens up possibilities for automated training and competitive performance across different disciplines.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Technology - The sports technology industry can leverage robotic free throw shooters and AI-enhanced training for athletes to provide innovative products and services that enhance performance and training effectiveness.
2. Robotics and Automation - Robotic free throw shooters and multi-sport robots drive opportunities for advancements in robotics and automation, enabling the development of specialized machines for various applications and industries.
3. Entertainment and Media - The integration of robotic athletes in sports and entertainment media can create new avenues for engaging audiences in virtual or physical human-robot competitions, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
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