World's first robot ping-pong instructor showcased in Japan
Omron Corp. has unveiled the world's first certified robotic ping pong instructor at the CEATE technology fair in Japan. Standing at 2.7m tall, and with three legs, FORPHEUS uses "sequential deep learning" to adapt to its opponent's playing level, as well as making precise returns at sharper angles. FORPHEUS received a Guinness Record for being table tennis' first-ever robot instructor.
The world's first certified robotic ping pong instructor is among the stars at a Japanese technology fair.





The robot, FORPHEUS, measures 2.7 metres and spider-shaped with three legs. It's capable of judging the level of its opponent and adapting its game play.





"In order to promote mutual development between human and machine, the 2016 model uses sequential deep learning to assess an opponent's' level of skills as a rally unfolds, adapting returns to the ability of its human counterpart," said the company's developer Omron Corp in a statement.





FORPHEUS assesses the opponent's level as beginner, intermediate or advanced, and adapts its game play accordingly, allowing even inexperienced players to engage in long rallies, as could be seen at the CEATE technology fair in Chiba, southeast of Tokyo.





The machine's artificial intelligence allows it to adapt its parameters to make returns on the ping pong table with a precision of five centimetres, as compared to 10 centimetres in the previous version.





It also comes equipped with 3D technology to sight the ping pong ball.





During a game, the robot can also make faster returns at unpredictable angles, that helps to further sharpen the skills of already capable opponents, the company said.





FORPHEUS, which is taking part in CEATEC for the third consecutive year, was first launched in 2013.





It's now received a Guinness Record certificate for being the first robot instructor for table tennis.



