Sony Revolutionizes Sports with Ace, Its Expert Table Tennis Robot

Sony recently unveiled Ace, a table tennis robot that has achieved expert-level performance, a first in the sports field according to the company. During competitions held in April 2025, Ace faced elite-level players under the rules of the International Table Tennis Federation. The robot managed to defeat three out of five opponents at this level, although it was defeated by professional players. However, by December 2025, Ace began to secure victories against these professionals, marking a significant milestone in its development.

Ace stands out due to its cutting-edge technology, utilizing nine cameras and three vision systems to track the ball and its spin with a speed surpassing that of the human eye. This capability is powered by sophisticated artificial intelligence that allows the robot to read the game exceptionally well. Professional player Mayuka Taira highlighted the difficulty of playing against Ace, as the robot displays no emotion, making its strategy unpredictable.

Peter Dürr, project lead at Sony AI Zurich, discussed the potential implications of this technology beyond sports. According to him, the advancements made with Ace could be applied in manufacturing and service robotics, paving the way for new innovations in these sectors.

Table tennis expert Kinjiro Nakamura, a former participant in the 1992 Olympic Games, was impressed by Ace's capabilities. After observing one of the robot's shots, he expressed his astonishment, stating that he would have never imagined such a shot was possible. This performance raises the possibility that if a robot can achieve it, humans might also be able to do so one day.