New kind of robot

Jasper Low Asked 4 days ago

Hi Alois, recently I saw this robot called the M-one . The robot seems to be able to feed multiball kind of like a real person. Normally you talk about robots not having that multiball with a racket power compared to a person. Its biggest drawback is that it costs quite a fortune (€18000 apparently!!!). With that sort of price, I think it's better to get a coach who can help players improve much faster. What do you think?

Alois Rosario Answered 3 days ago

Hi Jasper,

You've touched on an interesting point about the advancements in table tennis robots like the M-one. These robots are becoming more sophisticated, mimicking human-like feeding of balls which is great for more realistic practice.  One real limitation is still the tracking of the ball out and back in that you get when hitting with another person.

The cost factor you've mentioned is significant. At €18000, the M-one is a hefty investment and, as you rightly noted, could be comparable to hiring a personal coach for a considerable amount of time. The advantage of a personal coach over even the most advanced robot is the ability to provide immediate feedback and tactical advice which are crucial for competitive play. A coach can also tailor training sessions based on immediate observation, something that even the most advanced robot currently lacks.

In deciding between a high-end robot and a coach, consider your specific needs and circumstances. If you require the convenience of being able to practice at any time without dependency on a coach's schedule, a robot could be beneficial. However, for holistic development including technical skills and strategic understanding a coach is invaluable.