Ace robot wins table tennis matches against amateurs and professionals
Updated
Updated · WIRED · Apr 25
Ace robot wins table tennis matches against amateurs and professionals
14 articles · Updated · WIRED · Apr 25
Developed by Sony AI, Ace defeated three out of five high-level amateurs and one out of seven Japanese professionals, including Minami Ando and Kakeru Sone.
Ace uses advanced perception, real-time AI decision-making, and an agile robotic arm, repelling 75% of balls and excelling in control rather than power.
Researchers highlight this as a breakthrough for robotics, demonstrating AI's ability to operate in complex, fast-changing real-world environments and paving the way for new real-world applications.
How will AI like Ace change the way human athletes train and strategize for competition?
Will we soon see sports leagues where only robots like Ace are allowed to compete?
Beyond sports, what industry will be revolutionized first by Ace's real-time physical AI?
What weaknesses did professional players exploit to defeat Ace in their early matches?
Ace learned without human programming. What physical skill will AI master next on its own?
If an AI can beat pros, what does this mean for jobs requiring precise physical skill?
Ace Robot’s 2026 Breakthrough: Defeating Top 25 Professional Table Tennis Players with 75% Spin Return Success
Overview
Between April 2025 and March 2026, Sony AI's robot Ace evolved from winning matches against elite amateurs to decisively defeating top professional table tennis players. This rapid progress was driven by continuous refinement of its advanced vision system, adaptive AI control trained through simulated self-play, and a high-speed robotic arm, enabling superhuman reflexes with a 20-millisecond reaction loop. Ace's increased shot speed, exceptional spin handling, and rally endurance combined with an unpredictable playing style challenged human opponents and led to multiple victories over world-ranked professionals. These breakthroughs not only mark a new era in robotic sports but also highlight significant potential and ethical considerations for real-world robotics applications.