But there is still a long way to go before it can beat human players – hitting the ball with some spin causes the 2.7-meter-tall machine to get confused.
It took on human opponents at a technology conference near Tokyo, and is equipped with stereoscopic cameras and computer-vision algorithms to track the position and speed of its opponents and the ball.
It is possible for it to play sustained rallies – provided the player doesn't use too much power or spin when hitting the ball.
Created by healthcare electronics firm Omron, it uses five motors and grips the handle using a mechanism used by factory robots.
The 600-kilogram machine needs some improvements before it can compete with humans, but Omron says it is an example of advanced robotics techniques. Lead researcher Takuya Tsuyuguchi said: "This technology can be used in manufacturing processes where humans and machines can work together to make things."
By Ruchi Singh
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
