Ulf Hoffmann developed a table tennis playing robot, designed to artfully cream its opponent in any round of Ping-Pong. Titled the UHTTR-1, the conception of this robot took about two years of tweaking to totally perfect the design.
The robotic arm is made from steel with servomotors to achieve maximum acceleration. Its joints can be moved at any angle to hit the ball. A rail-guided system was used, so the arm can roll back and forth on the edge of the tennis table. Hoffmann created customized software for the robot to run on to help track the Ping-Pong ball’s position. 
Sensors and a mounted camera are installed in the robot to detect where the Ping-Pong ball is in relation to the robot. There are two other cameras on both walls surrounding the robot to see all angles at which the ball can approach. UHTTR-1 then determines where the paddle should move to hit the ball with ample momentum. Hoffman previously released a prototype “garage version” that demonstrated as much vim, vigor, and competitive spirit as the final edition.
On March 11, UHTTR-1 will compete in a Ping-Pong match against Timo Boll, an award-winning champ. KUKA Robot Group, an industrial robotics association, has been touting and advocating this competition for quite some time. Who will be the victor of this competition?!?
Story via Ulf Hoffmann
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