At IBM, quadrocopter taught to play table tennis



    IBM's research division is currently developing a system that can respond to rapidly changing environmental conditions. In particular, to respond to actively moving objects. In order to show the capabilities of an already finished system, the company decided to train the drone to play table tennis. True, the game so far goes in one gate: the quadrocopter player is only one.

    The recognition of moving objects is carried out by a system based on the Kinect controller, and the tennis ball is fed using a special device. As soon as the ball touches the table on the side of the drone, the quadrocopter repels the blow and does it quite accurately: almost all balls go to the opposite side of the table. In this case, the quadrocopter after each strike goes to a new place, so the next strike for the drone is different from the previous one.



    The quadcopter here is the IRIS + system from 3D Robotics. This is an advanced quadrocopter model with Follow Me function. So, if the following mode is enabled, the drone can follow the object (for example, its owner), removing it from various sides with its camera.

    The drone’s computer system is even able to compensate for the effects of wind gusts, as well as track an object with the help of a rotary camera, which is always directed towards the target. In this case, the quadrocopter can set almost any trajectory. You can use the automatic flyby function.

    For a more accurate orientation in space, the drone is equipped with a GPS module. The quadcopter calculates the required direction of movement itself.
    The corporation has developed software for the drone, providing a quick response of the aircraft to the appearance of an object in the field of view, in this case, a tennis ball. The system itself can be used not only for playing tennis, but also in other areas where robots are required to speed and analyze the situation in real time.



    This system is still far from rivalry with a person, specifically, although perhaps in a couple of years a match - “quadrocopter man” may take place.

    But industrial robots are already playing tennis with might and main. One of them even fought with former table tennis champion Timo Boll.



    IBM robots can also perform the following tasks:
    • Identify obstacles and avoid collisions;
    • Following a person;
    • Navigation in enclosed spaces, including large rooms in public buildings (hospitals, etc.).

    Work with robots and, in particular, with artificial intelligence has been going on for quite some time. At the moment, robots have been trained to distinguish between objects, their sizes and colors, use gestures, including to communicate with humans. Also, robots managed to be taught to respond to voice commands, navigate in a confined space, etc.

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