Do you have that one friend who always beats you at air hockey? Do you have a friend who simply smirks as you complain that they went over the line or that your paddle slipped?
Chiba University has come up with something that ought to wipe that smirk off even the best human air hockey player.
The robot arm created by Namiki Laboratory in Chiba University uses high speed tracking to read the human opponent’s movement and detect the trajectory of the puck to predict where it will go. According to the video demonstration it is highly effective in both defence and offense modes.
The purpose of the experiment is to develop robot systems that can interact with humans in real time. This technology can be used for robots in the home care field or when dealing with hazardous materials such as the master-slave robot.
With paper-rock-scissors and now air hockey under the cold steel thumbs of robots, it’s just a matter of time before all our favorite parlor games from beer pong to slapboxing are dominated by machines.
Source: Namiki Laboratory (English/Japanese) via Kotaro 269 (Japanese)
Videos: YouTube – NamikiLaboratory
▼ Namiki Laboratory has also developed juggling robots
▼ dribbling robots
▼ and knot tying robots
Tokyo University’s amazing Rock-Paper-Scissors robot is back, will kick your ass faster than ever
Mankind Dealt Further Blow As Robot Which Never Loses at Rock-Paper-Scissors Is Developed
Hair Stroking Headphones Escalate Japanese University Robotic Girlfriend Simulation Race
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Long-exposure Japanese fireworks photos show what happens when you hold on to a flash of beauty
This overlooked neighborhood east of Tokyo is awesome in many ways, left us with just one regret
The best Japanese cosplayers from Day 3 of Winter Comiket 2019【Photos】
Official Evangelion emergency rations, with curry and beef bowls, are now on sale【Photos】
Pringles Chocolate, but with a Japanese twist, is the snack hack you should be trying right now
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says