Acemate is the tennis robot that actually fights back

Tennis robots have been around for a while, but none that actually move and return like a real opponent. Acemate changes that. It’s now live on Kickstarter and it doesn’t just shoot balls — it plays back. Yes, you can actually rally with it. The device packs dual 4K cameras, full-court movement, and AI-driven shot analysis, turning solo training into something that finally feels like a real match.

Real footwork, real rallies, real feedback

Now, this isn’t a traditional launcher mounted on wheels. Acemate’s four mecanum wheels give it smooth 360-degree movement across the court. It can track you, shift positions, and hit back with forehands, backhands, topspin or slice. Rally Mode is the standout feature — the robot trades baseline shots with you, adjusts its pace, and reacts like a human sparring partner.

And it’s fast. We’re talking 80 mph shot speed, 60 RPS spin, and movement speeds up to 5 m/s. Serve intervals are fully adjustable between 1.5 and 12 seconds, with angles from 13 to 50 degrees vertically and up to 180 degrees horizontally. It can lob balls up to 8 metres high if you want to work on overheads or footwork recovery.

Ball capacity is split by mode. Rally Mode loads 30, while Serve Mode takes 130 (that’s 100 in the main bay plus 30 in the rally module). Just hit start on your Apple Watch or phone and get to work.

But there really neat thing is that it has an extendable net on top. That sees your return balls in real time and catches most of them. This means you are not limited to how long the rally can go. The catch net and inner buffer net use a patent-pending design to soften impact and reduce bounce-outs, so you’re not chasing balls after every rally.

Tracks your shots like it’s watching ATP highlights

The brains behind Acemate lie in its dual 4K binocular cameras. This setup gives it stereo vision, which means it sees depth just like you do. It knows exactly where your shot landed, how fast it was, and what type of spin you applied. There’s no wearable, no calibration, no setup.

AI crunches everything in real time. It detects shot placement, ball in/out, timing issues, swing mechanics, and builds that into live feedback. You get instant info on your phone or watch, along with full session breakdowns — calories burned, rally stats, serve accuracy, all logged for you to review.

Gesture controls, smart follow, and no cables to trip over

Acemate doesn’t just feed you balls. It listens. Wave to start or stop. Tap the app to shift drill type mid-session. It’ll even follow you around the court via remote control when you’re done, like a good hitting partner.

Battery life? Four hours on a single charge. The unit measures 45×55×50 cm, expanding to 170 cm when the net is raised, and it weighs 19 kg — light enough to roll into your trunk and drive to the next session.

Way ahead of typical ball machines

Compared to standard launchers, whether remote-controlled or basic app-linked ones, Acemate is in its own league. Traditional machines shoot. This one plays. It covers the court, tracks shots with centimeter-level accuracy, and responds in real time. It even estimates your NTRP rating based on performance.

Drill design is completely open-ended. You can set up unlimited training patterns, switch between serve, rally and lob modes, and even build performance-based routines that evolve as you train. That’s more than most smart watches offer.

For pros, beginners, and anyone who trains alone

This whole thing started because the creators couldn’t find consistent hitting partners or spare time for structured lessons. They built something that doesn’t just toss balls — it challenges you. You can play at full pace or start with short-court rallies to warm up. Use it for volley drills, serve practice, or match simulation. It’s all in one.

Whether you’re tuning your swing or simulating an ATP baseline slugfest, Acemate brings human-like rhythm to solo tennis.

A few days into the Kickstarter campaign the company has raised more than $1 million from over 750 backers. And that’s with another 50 days to go in the campaign. The starting price may seem expensive – but it is actually cheaper than traditional ball machines. Also, a typical Garmin Fenix watch now costs over $1,000 – which puts thing into perspective. If all goes well with manufacturing, backers can expect delivery in August.

Price: $1,499 and up

Raised: $1,155,760 of $30,000 goal

Estimated delivery: August 2025
50 days to go

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