Omron's table-tennis-playing robot a hit at CEATEC

CHIBA – Steps toward developing an artificial intelligence were a central theme at the nation's biggest annual IT and electronics show, and the crowds found no disappointment in Omron Corp.'s table-tennis-playing robot. Now it doesn't just return shots; it adjusts its playing to the skill level of its human opponent and can even serve as a tutor. It uses advanced sensing and control technologies to identify movement and hit the ball. While that basic skill has been demonstrated in the past, it now compares the opponent's moves with those in a data bank to assess the skill level. In a demonstration match, Forpheus was seen sizing up its opponent in the first few rallies and then displaying the human's skill levels on a screen.