# Ping Pong-Playing Robots This Robot Can Engage In Long Ping Pong Rallies By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-10-17 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ping-pongplaying-robot References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/omron-ping-pong-robot/34209/) & [omron](http://www.omron.com/about/story/detail07.html) Japanese firm [Omron](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forhpeus) has created an ingenious ping pong-playing robot that demonstrates decent skill with a paddle. This robot is not capable of taking on and defeating even an intermediate-level human opponent, but is capable of partaking in long rallies while making sure the ball lands on the table and not on the ground. In order to make its shot, the robot monitors the position of the ball, the position of the opponent and the position of the opponent's bat, using that information to calculate the ball's trajectory and velocity. It then computes the force required to return the ball to a spot that makes it easy for the opponent to hit, at the same speed at which the ball is received. The ping pong-playing robot is an example of how [sensing and control technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/precision-measurement) can be used to create robots that can work and play with humans. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 32% | Activity: 46% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Ping Pong Robotics:** Using sensing and control technology to create robots capable of playing ping pong with humans. - **Precision Motion Tracking:** Developing technology to accurately monitor the position and movement of objects in real-time. - **Collaborative Robotics:** Advancing robotics technology to enable robots to work and play alongside humans. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Robotics:** Creating innovative robots for entertainment and sports applications. - **Sports and Recreation:** Integrating advanced technology into sports activities like ping pong for enhanced gameplay experiences. - **Automation and AI:** Leveraging robotics and artificial intelligence to automate tasks and enable human-robot collaboration in various industries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Empathetic Interactive Game Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forhpeus.md) - [AI-Powered Tennis Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pongbot-pace-s-series.md) - [Multi-Sport Tennis Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orvy.md) - [Connected Vision Tennis Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aceii-one.md) - [Innovative Tennis Training Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tennis-training-robot.md) - [AI-Powered Tennis Training Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tenniix-ultra.md) - [Performance-Tracking Table Tennis Rackets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/janova-smart-racket.md) - [Soccer-Dribbling Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soccerdribbling-robot.md) - [Humanoid Robot Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/great-robot-olympics.md)