The French Open will now allow the wearables on a trial basis, with Wimbledon and the US Open expected to follow later this year. The move comes after confusion at the Australian Open, where players including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka were told the devices were not permitted on court. To remind, these devices were already allowed on ATP and WTA Tour events.

Why the rule is changing

So why the rule change?

It all kicked off in Melbourne earlier this year. Players who regularly wear recovery bands like Whoop suddenly found themselves being told to take them off before matches, despite using them throughout the rest of the season.

There were even awkward moments on court. Carlos Alcaraz had a device hidden under his wristband during a match, while Jannik Sinner was stopped before play after an official noticed his wearable before the coin toss.

That confusion came from the fact that Grand Slams were operating under separate rules from the regular tour. The International Tennis Federation had already approved these devices, and ATP and WTA events were allowing them. But the majors were still taking a stricter approach.

Now that appears to be changing.

Players were never using them for coaching

This was never really about live coaching or someone getting tactical advice through a wrist strap. Players have been clear that the main reason for wearing these devices is recovery and health tracking.

Whoop and similar wearables track metrics such as heart rate, heart rate variability, recovery, strain, sleep, respiratory rate, blood oxygen and skin temperature. For elite players dealing with back-to-back matches, long rallies and difficult weather conditions, that data can be useful when deciding how hard to train the next day or whether the body needs more recovery.

Sinner spoke about this after the Australian Open issue, explaining that after playing in the extreme Melbourne heat, he wanted to check recovery numbers and understand how his body was responding before the next round.

Aryna Sabalenka made a similar point. She said she uses the device to monitor stress and recovery between matches and was frustrated by the ban, especially because the same wearable was allowed all year on WTA events.

Why organisers are backing it

French Open tournament director Amélie Mauresmo said the decision to allow the wearables was made in order to improve the player experience and respond to what athletes were asking for. The idea is simple enough: if players want better access to their own health data, there is little reason to block it if the technology does not affect fairness.

That is probably the key point. These are not hidden performance enhancers. They are passive trackers collecting information from the body. The argument from supporters is that data should help protect players, not be treated like an unfair advantage.

In a social media post – Whoop itself leaned heavily into that argument with the phrase “Data is not steroids”. Which is dramatic but gets the point across.

For now, the bigger takeaway is that Grand Slam tennis is catching up with the rest of the tour. The French Open is treating this as a trial, but once players start using these devices openly on the biggest stages, it will be difficult to go back.

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How the robot actually learned to play

The interesting part is not just that the robot can hit a tennis ball. It is how it learned to do it.

Instead of relying on perfect motion capture data, the researchers used short fragments of human movements. Things like forehand swings, backhand strokes and basic footwork. These fragments were not precise, and they did not represent full tennis rallies.

The system stitches together these fragments using a learned latent action space. In simple terms, it builds a library of movement building blocks and then figures out how to combine them in real time. So instead of copying a textbook forehand, it learns something closer to how a human moves when playing tennis, then refines that into something usable.

There is also a clever workaround for one of the hardest problems in tennis, wrist control. The robot’s high-level controller directly adjusts the wrist during play, rather than relying on the imperfect training data.

That alone tells you how messy this problem is. Even humans struggle to explain what their wrist is doing mid-swing.

What the video actually shows

The video doing the rounds online makes this look almost match-ready, but it is worth looking a bit closer.

The robot is genuinely tracking the ball and returning shots. This is not stitched footage or selective cuts. But the rally is clearly controlled. The human is feeding relatively clean, predictable balls rather than pushing the pace or mixing things up.

But it’s still impressive. And fairly surreal.

The system works because it can anticipate fairly consistent trajectories. You do not see last-second adjustments or recovery from awkward bounces. The swings are functional, not precise, and there is a slight hesitation between movements that would become more obvious if the tempo increased.

What does stand out is the coordination.

The footwork is surprisingly decent. The robot repositions itself, shuffles across the court, and times its swings in a way that feels closer to natural movement than earlier humanoid demos. It is not fluid in a human sense, but it is not rigid either.

What it can actually do on court

This is not just a one-hit demo.

The system can sustain multi-shot rallies with human players and return balls across different areas of the court. The incoming balls in testing travel at speeds above 15 metres per second. Which is more basic level tennis. But if this is the worst its ever going to be, it makes you wonder.

In simulation, the robot handles thousands of trials and consistently returns balls close to target areas. In real-world testing, performance holds up across forehand and backhand strokes, as well as different court positions.

There is also another interesting detail. When two of these systems play each other in simulation, they can keep rallies going for up to 25 consecutive shots.

Why this is more interesting than it looks

Robots playing sports is not new. There have been table tennis bots, badminton experiments, even robot football teams. What stands out here is the approach.

Most systems depend on clean, high-quality motion data or unrealistic physics assumptions. This one leans into imperfect data and still produces movement that looks relatively natural.

That has broader implications. If a robot can learn a complex physical skill like tennis from messy, incomplete data, it suggests the same approach could work for other real-world tasks. Anything involving coordination, timing, and adaptation.

Also, instead of trying to perfectly model physics, the system trains with a wide range of variations. Friction, mass, air drag, all of it gets randomised. That makes the robot more robust when moving from simulation to reality.

Where this could go next

Before anyone starts worrying about being replaced at Wimbledon, there are limits.

The setup still relies on motion capture systems to track the robot and the ball. The rallies are controlled, and the robot is not diving for impossible shots or dealing with real match pressure.

The next step is moving away from motion capture and toward vision-based systems, so the robot can operate independently. Another direction is training in more realistic match conditions, with unpredictable shots and longer rallies.

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Players push for more in-match data

On Sunday in his 4th round match, Alcaraz was spotted wearing a Whoop on his right wrist and was quickly told to take it off by the umpire. Shortly after, Whoop CEO Will Ahmed voiced his frustration on social media, calling the decision “ridiculous” and stating that the tracker poses no safety risk. “Let the athletes measure their bodies. Data is not steroids!” he added in a post on X.

Jannik Sinner faced the same request in the tournament, after wearing his Whoop tucked under a wristband. Like Alcaraz, he complied, but said afterwards that the decision was disappointing. He explained that he and his team had no intention of using the device for live data, but rather to analyse post-match heart rate, calorie burn and effort metrics. For Sinner, these insights are useful in tailoring future training sessions and refining recovery strategies.

“I understand. I won’t use it again,” he said after advancing to the quarter-finals. “There are other things we could use. The vest with a tracker inside. But it’s a bit uncomfortable, you feel like you have something on your shoulders.”

His comments point to the shift that has been happening in the sport. More players are integrating physiological data into their match preparation and recovery routines. I mean, why wouldn’t they? Aryna Sabalenka was also seen wearing a Whoop tracker during the event

Grand Slam rules lag behind pro tour standards

Tennis Australia, which oversees the Australian Open, confirmed that wearable tech is currently not allowed during play at Grand Slam events. That puts it at odds with the broader rules of the sport. The International Tennis Federation includes the Whoop strap on its official list of approved Player Analysis Technology. The same goes for the ATP and WTA tours, where wearables are permitted under specific guidelines.

That split in policy creates a grey area for players and their teams. On one hand, governing bodies encourage smarter recovery and performance tracking. On the other, players risk penalties if they try to wear the same tech on the sport’s biggest stages.

In most other sports, wearable sensors have become standard. They’re in team kits, shoes and jerseys, often with league support. Tennis remains one of the more conservative corners of pro sport when it comes to tech integration, with Grand Slam tournaments especially reluctant to modernise.

Commercial partnerships complicate the picture

There’s also a commercial angle here. Whoop has marketing deals with several high-profile players and teams, and its strap is marketed specifically as something athletes can wear throughout their day. The brand is known for pushing the limits of real-time physiological data, especially in endurance and combat sports. Tennis fits neatly into that strategy.

But tournament organisers may be wary of giving visibility to commercial brands unless they’re official sponsors. That could partly explain the tension at this year’s event.

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A tennis bag that trains with you

The core idea behind the Nisplay Y1 is to reduce the hassle of setting up a ball machine. It combines gear storage and training functionality into a single compact unit. There’s no need to lug around multiple pieces of equipment or find a separate power source on the court. Instead, players can unzip the bag, turn it on and start hitting. Nisplay says the transition from bag to ball launch takes only seconds.

The outer build uses soft-touch vegan leather with quality zippers and fastenings, along with an ergonomic back panel and padded straps. The look is intentionally clean, avoiding the bulky industrial design of traditional ball machines. There are also magnetic modular attachments for extras like bottles, towels and rackets.

Training features with a focus on flexibility

Inside the Y1 is a dual-wheel launcher designed to produce topspin, backspin and flat shots. You can choose between pre-set drills that target different skills, or you can manually configure your own. The system supports up to 15 court target zones, with shot combinations adjustable to suit everything from basic consistency work to more intense rally simulation.

An interesting feature is the so-called Ball Boy mode. It offers one-shot-at-a-time delivery for serve practice or recovery drills, letting users control the pace more naturally. You can switch modes using the included controller, through a smartphone app or even via Apple Watch or voice command. The whole setup is built to be used solo, without needing to walk back and forth to tweak settings.

More than just tennis

Nisplay is positioning the Y1 as a multi-sport device. While it’s launching with tennis as the main focus, there are plans to support padel and pickleball too. Players in those communities often face the same challenges: inconsistent practice partners and limited access to training equipment. A portable launcher that fits in with standard gear bags could help bridge that gap.

There’s also a custom 58-inch mini racket accessory being offered. It’s meant for precision and control training, pushing users to move more deliberately and sharpen footwork. It’s optional, but it ties in with the broader goal of making practice sessions more engaging and dynamic.

Kickstarter coming soon

Now, this sounds very much along the lines of the Slinger Bag which we reviewed a few years ago. But something that is smaller in size. More recently we reviewed PongBot Pace S Pro – that one doesn’t look like a tennis bag but is one of the most feature-packed tennis robots you can purchase today.

The Y1 isn’t out yet, but early backers can place a refundable deposit to lock in a lower launch price. Nisplay lists the VIP tier at $499, compared to a future MSRP of $1,199. Actual payment only happens once the Kickstarter campaign goes live and hits its funding target.

This also isn’t Nisplay’s first rodeo. Their earlier L1 ball machine launched on Kickstarter back in 2022 and raised over $1 million from more than 2,000 backers. That model leaned more toward a compact traditional launcher, but it showed the company could deliver on crowdfunding promises.

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The footage is brief, but it is dense with implications. Tennis is not a forgiving activity for a humanoid form. It demands balance during lateral movement, fast visual tracking of a small object, timing of arm swings, and stability at the moment of impact. Walker S2 manages all of this without appearing stiff or unstable, which is what makes the demo worth a closer look.

What actually happens in the video

The robot stands opposite a human player and engages in a controlled rally. The pace is moderate. Shots are fed cleanly and predictably. Walker S2 steps into position, swings its racket, and sends the ball back over the net. Movements look coordinated rather than pre-frozen, with visible weight shifts and recovery after each hit.

This is not a robot planted in place with a single repetitive motion. Foot placement changes between shots. The torso rotates with the swing. Balance holds during contact, which is a critical detail. Many humanoid demos fall apart at this exact moment, when impact forces expose weak control loops.

At the same time, the sequence stays within a narrow envelope. The robot does not sprint, dive, or handle unpredictable spin. That appears deliberate. The goal here is controlled demonstration rather than stress testing.

Why tennis is a revealing test

Tennis compresses several hard robotics problems into one task. Vision systems must detect and track a fast moving ball against a complex background. Control systems must predict where that ball will be, not where it is. Locomotion must reposition the robot smoothly without destabilising it. Arm motion must stay synchronised with body movement.

Walker S2 showing competence across all of these layers at once is notable. Even if some aspects are simplified, the integration matters. This is closer to real world interaction than lifting boxes or waving to a camera.

Anyone who has played tennis will tell you this is an extremely difficult task. It is crazy to think a robot can not just hit a ball, but hit it cleanly and with fluid motion.

Autonomy versus demonstration

One open question is how autonomous this sequence really is. The video does not explain whether the robot is operating fully on board or receiving external guidance. That distinction matters, especially when demos circulate without technical context.

The movements suggest real time responsiveness rather than a fixed animation. However, the controlled environment and predictable ball feeds mean assistance cannot be ruled out. Until UBTECH publishes deeper technical detail, it is sensible to treat this as a capability showcase rather than proof of independent athletic performance.

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Why this still matters

Even as a demonstration, the clip shows how far humanoid coordination has progressed. Stable bipedal movement combined with dynamic arm motion remains one of the hardest problems in robotics. Tennis exposes weaknesses quickly. Walker S2 does not collapse, jitter, or freeze.

This kind of demo points less toward robots playing sports and more toward robots operating in environments where timing, balance, and interaction matter. Warehouses, factories, and service settings all demand similar underlying skills just with different tools.

The tennis court is simply a clear stage on which those skills become easy to see. We did review PongBot Pace S Pro a couple of months ago. The robotic tennis ball launcher is very impressive. But the device shown in the video is next level!

Via NotebookCheck

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Pongbot PACE S PRO: One minute review

The Pongbot PACE S PRO has genuinely changed how I approach solo practice. It’s a major step up from my old Slinger Bag.

The PACE S PRO is built for serious training. It goes well beyond basic ball feeding, combining mechanical speed with player tracking and smart drill logic. It’s ideal if you want structured, high-volume hitting with full control over difficulty. The pace, spin, and variation keep sessions productive.

This isn’t for someone looking to casually hit a few balls after work. It’s for players or coaches who want structure, repetition and challenge on demand.

The hardware holds up well. Spin changes are quick, movement is fluid, and ball delivery stays consistent even at higher speeds. Battery life supports long sessions without fuss, and the app makes switching drills or settings straightforward. The included sensors add extra functionality – as the machine knows in real time exactly where you are on the court.

Build quality has been good during the one month of testing, though parts like the hopper and wheels do feel a bit fragile. That said, I’ve had no problems so far.

This isn’t a device you learn once and forget. You’ll keep finding new ways to use it. The presets are solid, but the real value comes when you start building and experimenting with your own drills. If you already train with data or track your sessions in detail, this machine can slot into that routine and raise the intensity.

It’s not a small purchase, but if you’re serious about your tennis training, it justifies the cost. Especially if you can pick it up on a discount. For those that want something dead simple, there are cheaper options out there. But if you’re willing to dig in, the value really shows.

All of these features, especially with the AI modes and sensor integration, are unmatched in this price range. It won’t replace a coach, but it can sharpen your sessions in ways most machines can’t. I wouldn’t go back to a basic ball launcher after this.

View PACE S PRO on Pongbot’s website (For $75 off, at checkout add coupon code: gadgetsandwearables). Also, check out my Youtube review to see the machine in action.

Jump to

Design & hardware
Technical specifications
How to use
Is this right for you

Pongbot PACE S PRO review: Design and how it holds up

• Sturdy and quiet during use, with good on-court stability
• Easy to roll around, though less convenient on stairs or in tight spaces
• Minimal on-device controls, with functions handled through smartphone app or remote

The PACE S PRO feels like something built for people who actually train. It’s not trying to be stylish or compact. Visually, it’s low-profile but sturdy, giving off the impression of a system that’s meant to be forgotten once it’s working. Having said that, I’ve had players from nearby courts come over mid-session to ask what it is and watch it in action.

The hopper is fixed into the top half of the unit and loads easily, but removing it takes more effort than I expected. It fits tightly, which helps keep it in place, but I’ve caught myself worrying about breaking it.

The machine weighs around 19 kilos, so it’s not exactly something you’d call lightweight. That said, it’s lighter than a lot of the other ball machines on the market. Compared to the Slinger Bag, which I used for a few years, this one takes up noticeably less space. It’s about half the height, so it’s easier to store.

There are wheels and a telescopic handle, so moving the PACE S PRO across flat ground is pretty straightforward. Stairs are more of a hassle because of the slightly awkward weight distribution. Getting it in and out of a car on your own takes a bit of juggling. I haven’t had any issues with the wheels, even on a few 20-minute walks to the court. But I’ve seen some users mention that the rubber on the wheels might wear down faster on rough or uneven surfaces.

Once the machine is in place, it stays put. The wide base and locking mechanism hold it steady even when firing at high speeds or with heavy spin. That makes a big difference when running more intense drills. I never had to stop and reposition it mid-session.

What I particularly like is how quiet it is during use. You can barely hear the motor running and that’s a good thing. I for one, do not want to disturb players on nearby courts with a loud piece of gear. This one is practically silent.

There’s a sound alert before each ball is launched, probably a safety feature, but that can be turned off in the app. I prefer it off. One thing I noticed is that the internal wheels keep spinning even when it’s in standby. You can stop that by switching it into Eco mode, which is easy enough to do in the settings.

On the unit itself, you can find a small control interface. The LED indicators in front are clear and easy to read, and the whole system powers on without any weird delays or boot-up issues. I usually have it ready in a couple of minutes.

Nearly all interaction with the machine happens through the app or remote, which works well. The Bluetooth connection has been totally reliable, and I can adjust drills or settings straight from my phone without needing to touch the machine once it’s powered on. The only real job is loading on the balls to the hopper.

The system also comes with a player-tracking sensor you can wear, plus two net sensors for positional feedback. But you can train just fine without using any of them. They do allow, however, for some more advanced drills. More about that later.

The design doesn’t try to stand out, but once you’ve used it, it feels solid and well put together. Everything is laid out logically, and build quality has been good so far. Still, parts like the hopper and wheels may show wear over time, so that’s something I’ll be keeping an eye on. I’ve been using it for about a month – and so far I’ve had no issues.

Technical specs

• Fast, consistent feed with up to 80 mph speed and 60 RPS spin
• Smooth motorised angle and sweep adjustments
• 8 hours of battery life on a single charge

As far as the hardware, the PACE S PRO runs on a dual‑wheel drive system that feeds balls through direct contact with the wheels. It’s capable of delivering a wide range of shots, including topspin, backspin and flat balls.

Spin intensity can be adjusted across 21 levels, with a maximum of 60 revolutions per second, which covers everything from slow looping topspin to heavier drives. The response time when switching spin types is short, so drills can simulate real rally conditions without delay or mechanical lag.

Speed can be set anywhere up to around 75–80 miles per hour. That’s more than enough to replicate real match pace. Ball frequency is adjustable from 1.5 to 12 seconds, depending on the type of session you’re after. The ball feed has been consistent in my use, and the delivery feels smooth even when pushing the higher settings.

Elevation and horizontal movement are fully motorized. You can shift the launch angle from 10 to 50 degrees for anything from low skimming shots to high lobs. Side‑to‑side movement spans roughly 50 degrees across the court, which enough to simulate both singles and doubles coverage. Transitions are fluid, and the machine keeps its aim stable between sequences.

The outer shell is reinforced plastic with internal framing that supports the motor assemblies and protects the tracking hardware. Vents are cut into the side panels for cooling. There are no exposed belts, cables or high-friction parts prone to failure. In use I did not notice any overheating or noise from cooling fans, which suggests the PACE S PRO handles heat well.

I’ve also found the ball feed reliable. After a month of use, there was only one session where there was a ball jam. And this was easily rectified by opening the side door. Problem solved in a few seconds.

As mentioned, the machine supports player tracking. It does this through a 100 Hz motion‑sensing system, which can detect position. The feature is there if you want to add reactive drills or recovery‑based training.

Battery life

Everything runs off a removable battery stored beneath the motor housing. It’s got enough capacity for multiple sessions without needing a recharge. I’ve done a couple of long workouts back to back and never had to worry about it running out. The company says you get over eight hours on a full charge, and that seems accurate. After a two-hour session, I usually drop just one of the four battery bars, so the estimate checks out.

Charging is straightforward. You just plug it in and let it do its thing. Since the battery is removable, it’s easy to handle and doesn’t get in the way. I’ve never felt limited by battery life, even when running high-speed or heavy-spin drills.

One nice touch is that you can charge the sensors directly from the machine via USB. That is handy if you’ve forgotten to refuel them at home. 

Pongbot PACE S PRO review: How to use

• App setup is quick with presets and deep custom options for advanced drills
• Smart features like AI Recovery add match-like realism
• Building long custom drills takes time, but the control over each shot is impressive

Initial setup is quick. The smartphone app pairs to the machine without fuss, and it walks you through the basics the first time you connect. Even if you’re not especially tech-savvy, you’ll be fine after a bit of poking around.

Once it’s charged, you wheel it onto the court, position the hopper and dump in the tennis balls, power it on, and control everything from your phone or the included remote. There an on-unit LED indicator lets you know when Bluetooth is active.

The app is the main control hub. You can pick from a large set of preloaded drills or start building your own. The preset drills are handy for quick sessions, and probably enough for the majority of average tennis players out there.

You can choose varying levels of difficulty, hand preference, combo interval, sequential/random sequence and more. That gives some room to tweak without going into full custom mode.

Custom drills are where this machine really stands out. You can tweak every single ball in the sequence -speed, spin, depth, placement.

It does take time to build a drill from scratch, especially if you’re setting up a 30 or 40-ball sequence. The app supports up to 45 shots per drill, and you can combine different shot types in any order. Once created, drills can be saved to your library and edited later.

You can also download drills shared by other players, and some of them are actually great. It’s a simple way to keep things fresh. The drill-sharing feature is built into the app, and you can favorite or copy any public drill into your own library.

The thing to note is that there’s a bit of a learning curve. Not because it’s hard, but because there are so many options. Especially with drills.

It took me a few sessions to figure out which features and drills were actually useful and which ones I could ignore. But once you get used to it, the basics feel straightforward. You can also simplify things by adjusting court positioning and feed delay globally, which helps match the machine’s output to your timing.

Some of the smarter modes (referred to as Smart Pace in the app), such as Recovery Trigger, are where the PACE S PRO really stands out. These are features that make the machine feel less like a ball launcher and more like a training partner.

Recovery Trigger, for example, is especially useful for footwork drills. It tracks when you’ve moved back to the centre back-end of the court and only then fires the next ball. That changes the rhythm entirely. Instead of feeding on a fixed timer, the machine reacts to your recovery, simulating real match flow. And if you’re not fully fit, you can slow the tempo down to keep the session under control.

To get this working properly, you’ll need to clip the third sensor onto yourself and set up the two net sensors that come with the system. Once everything is paired, which usually takes only a few seconds, the tracking is surprisingly accurate.

There can be a bit of a lag now and then, but overall the experience adds a strong element of realism to solo practice. It forces you to reset quickly, stay balanced and not cut corners between shots. That alone gives these drills more value than anything you’d get from a fixed feed interval.

Ramp up the difficulty level to challenge yourself even more. The thing about this is – instead of a predictable rhythm, you get a more varied pace that mimics what happens in an actual rally. It’s sometimes quicker, sometimes slower, depending on the previous ball. The whole thing keeps you alert and removes the tendency to fall into a drill pattern. It’s like training with a partner who never misses!

Together, these modes make the training feel alive. If you want sessions that prepare you for how points actually play out, these features are the ones to lean on.

View PACE S PRO on Pongbot’s website (For $75 off, at checkout add coupon code: gadgetsandwearables).

Is this right for you?

Buy if

• You train solo and want full-court feeds with real spin and pace
• You want drills that adjust based on your movement, not just timers
• You need detailed control over shot type, speed and placement
• You value long battery life and app control for quick setup
• You can store or transport a 19 kg machine without hassle

Don’t buy if

• You only play casually and don’t need advanced drills
• You want something ultra-light to carry between locations
• You’re looking for a basic ball launcher

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You wheel it in like luggage and it’s ready to play tennis. Aceii One folds out and hits with you like a proper partner. It’s even designed to simulate actual match-play. The Kickstarter campaign is now underway.

The makers of Aceii One insist they weren’t interested in building just another spinning wheel in a box. They wanted to create a robot that actually plays tennis. That means it doesn’t just shoot balls.

Not your average ball launcher

The machine itself looks fairly compact. Its body folds down and fits into a wheeled suitcase form factor. Fold out the legs and it’s ready to roll. There is enough room inside for 120 balls.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The thing uses differential drive tech, similar to what you’d find in robotics platforms, to sprint across the baseline or move up to the net. The acceleration tops out at 3.5 m/s², which is about the speed needed to match serious rallies. The company claims it can move from mid-court to sideline in 1.2 seconds.

Training, matches and more

Aceii One hits with you, reacts to your shots and changes things up based on how you play. Its vision system watches the whole court and follows your movement in real time, without needing any sensors or wearables. That’s how it knows where to fire the next ball, how fast to send it, how much spin to add and when to switch direction. It doesn’t actually return your shot, but it feels like it does.

At the same time, it records your rallies, saves highlight clips and tracks performance data. This includes shot speed, placement and consistency.

The machine supports everything from basic drills to more advanced match-style play. Training starts with rally modes that gradually increase in difficulty. From there, Match Play adds scoring and structure through three modes. Ranking places you on a scale tied to NTRP levels. Challenge rewards progress with new goals and achievements. Battle lets you compete with friends, test yourself against pro player profiles or take on shared virtual opponents from different locations.

It’s a different kind of setup. For solo tennis players, it brings structure, feedback and variety.

Coaching that goes beyond video

Another noteworthy feature is the coaching content. The Aceii app includes structured lessons co-developed with pro instructors and tennis academies. These are linked to training plans based on your NTRP score and hitting data. After each lesson, the robot delivers tailored drills to reinforce the content. You can either self-select your level or take an AI-powered test to get your starting point.

The app also allows full drill customization. You can dial in ball speed, direction, spin, interval and placement. Or use presets to simulate different play styles.

Bringing purpose to solo tennis

It’s still early days, and the Kickstarter will have to follow through before any big claims hold up. But as ideas go, this one sits at the edge of where robotics and sport start to blur. Whether it works as advertised is one thing. Still, the pitch should resonate with anyone who’s ever hit balls alone and wished it felt more like playing.

With 34 days to go, the campaign has already raised half a million dollars from nearly 500 backers. A single unit goes for $1,099 during the campaign, which is 48 percent off the planned retail price. If all goes to plan with manufacturing, deliveries are expected to begin in December 2025.

Price: $1099 and up

Raised: $498,002 of $3,857 goal

Estimated delivery: December 2025
34 days to go before campaign closes

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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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The post Acemate is the tennis robot that actually fights back appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

The Tenniix T-APEX ball launcher is now live on Kickstarter, pitching itself as a smarter way to up your tenis skills. What makes this device stand out is the combination of AI software with a compact vision-tracking hardware unit that’s surprisingly portable.

Tennis ball launchers are typically very expensive in price. But they are coming down in price. The first such device was Slinger Bag – which we reviewed a few years ago. Since then there have been a few others. Tenniix is the latest entrant in this space.

A different kind of tennis robot

Now this isn’t your basic ball machine that lobs shots at fixed intervals from the baseline. Tenniix calls the T-APEX a “vision-based AI tennis robot,” which sounds ambitious until you see what they’re actually offering. The system uses a camera-based unit that scans the player’s position in real time and adjusts ball trajectories accordingly. It’s paired with ultra-wideband sensors and an AI engine which simulates human-like rallies. Yes, you know longer need a flesh and blood opponent.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The core promise is customisation. Tenniix says the machine can run more than a thousand training drills and will even offer feedback and difficulty adjustments as you go. There’s a “smart match” mode that mimics point play, but instead of pre-programmed sequences, it adapts depending on your shot response. That sort of reactive training could make solo sessions less repetitive and more tactical.

As far as specifics – the machine is capable of dishing up servers up to 75 miles per hour and 5000 RPM spin. Plus it can launch 8.5 meter lobs at you.

Portability and voice control built in

One thing that is noticeable is how much thought went into the design. The whole setup weighs about 7 kilograms, which is about half the weight compared to traditional ball machines. With a 360 degrees movable base module, a 46 degree horizontal gimbal and 50 degree vertical launcher – the thing also supports voice and gesture commands, so players can trigger drills without running back to the control panel or fiddling with apps mid-rally.

You also get a built-in rechargeable battery that Tenniix says should last long enough for about 4 hours between charges. And you can fit around 100 tennis balls in the pouch.

The companion app controls everything from shot frequency to lateral positioning. You can also dive into analysis of your game in the app. There’s a lot going on here, but the UI looks clean and usable from the demos that are posted on the crowdfunding page.

Who it’s for and what it costs

This isn’t exactly targeted at beginners. It’s clear that the company is aiming for ambitious amateurs, competitive juniors, adult league players, or even clubs looking for a digital assistant coach. There are several different tiers, with Tenniix Basic starting from an early bird price of $699.

The campaign’s already smashed its goal and is now creeping toward stretch perks. It all sounds good, but the real test comes when players take it out and see how it holds up during actual rallies. Honestly, the next step after this is a launcher that scoops up the balls for you while you’re catching your breath.

Price: $699 and up

Raised: $366,767 of $12,855 goal

Estimated delivery: July 2025
42 days to go

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The post Vision-based tennis training hits Kickstarter with Tenniix appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

A new AI-powered tennis training robot called PongBot is generating a buzz on Kickstarter. With nearly a month to go in its campaign, it has already secured $1.3 million in backing from more than 1,300 supporters. So what makes this device so interesting?

A few years ago, we reviewed the Slinger ball machine, which impressed us with its sleek design. While the PongBot Pace S Series may not match Slinger’s aesthetic appeal and coolness factor, it appears to surpass it in terms of technical capabilities and training functionality.

At its core, the PongBot Pace uses multiple sensors to track player movements and returns, allowing it to adapt its behavior in real-time. To this end it comes with 3 little transmitters. You clip two of them to the net posts, and one of them to you.

This means that rather than simply firing balls in pre-programmed patterns, this smart machine analyzes player performance and adjusts its spin, speed, and direction during the session. This creates a more dynamic training experience that better mirrors actual match play. The machine’s ability to detect patterns in player behavior and modify its responses accordingly helps develop crucial skills like timing, footwork, and reaction speed.

The AI’s adaptive nature means it can increase difficulty gradually as players improve, maintaining an optimal learning curve. This flexibility addresses a common challenge in tennis training where finding consistent practice partners at the right skill level can be difficult.

All of this makes it suitable for players across skill levels. Beginners can work on fundamental skills at a comfortable pace, while advanced players can challenge themselves with more complex drills and scenarios. In total there are over 300 pro-level pre-programmed drills, intelligent ball frequency that depends on your real-time movement and much more.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

PongBot’s developers have also emphasized user control through a companion mobile app. Players can select preset routines or design custom training sessions, adding another layer of personalization to their practice. This remote control capability allows for quick adjustments without repeatedly returning to the machine. The app interface will enable players to track their progress over time and adjust training parameters such as ball speed, spin rate, and shot placement to focus on specific aspects of their game.

As far as specific tech specs – the device is capable of flinging balls at you at up to 80 miles per hour with spins up to 60 rps. It can even lob you with balls raising 8.1 meters above ground. Ball capacity is around 150 and battery life comes in at 8 hours per charge.

The tennis training landscape has evolved significantly with the integration of smart technology. PongBot Pace represents another step forward, offering players the ability to practice consistently and purposefully, even without a human partner. With 27 days remaining in its crowdfunding campaign, the project has smashed through its funding goal, suggesting that players are eager to embrace this innovative gadget.

The PongBot Pace S Series is available at an early bird price starting at $799. There’s a regular and Pro variant. The good news is that backers can expect to receive the device before the end of this year. At least, that’s the promise.

Price: $799 and up

Funds raised: $1,326,817 out of $10,000 goal.

Estimated delivery: December 2024
27 days to go

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The post Tennis gets personal with new AI training robot PongBot appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.