12/2/2004: Ping pong robot
 

http://cellar.org/2004/tabletennisrobot.jpg

For the people who have everything, there is always something new to be had. Take, for example, this table tennis robot. Via fogdog, it's the Butterfly Amicus 3000, and although it won't hit the ball back to you, it does have settings to keep pounding you at 100 shots per minute with all kinds of locations and spins and whatnot.

And it only costs $2300. Merry Xmas.

Are there people who are so into friggin' ping pong that they would really spend $2300 on this thing? :confused:

I'm a ping pong lover, and I'm lucky enought to have a "ping pong room" where I work - it's a mostly Chinese demographic, and there are some devout players here. It's a blessing and a curse for me, because though I love to play, almost everyone here can beat me. I'm enough of a competitive person that it actually bothers me when I lose 27 games in a row.

What I wouldn't give for a machine like that - I'd rule them all!!!

Actually, I bet that'd be a great workout. 100 shots per minute? I'd like to see someone last more than a couple minutes at that pace.

[quote=mmmmbacon]I'd like to see someone last more than a couple minutes QUOTE]

my wife says that a lot. i don't get it.

And a second workout picking all those damn balls up. :eek:

wow, over here we have a pick-bot.....a robot that can pick up any kind a ball.....finally there is a purpose! Lets see how the two work out if we put them together....

Call that a robot?
these are robots.

[intentional]You mean these three in particular or the Nipponese generally?[/misinterpretation]

No, those are mechs. http://www.cellar.org/images/smilies/3eyedsmiley.gif

ooooh yep, and those flesh-colored things inside look a lot like an asian type of humans....