Robot That Plays Table Tennis Can Understand Empathy While At A Game

This table tennis-playing robot can look down the table across from its opponent, read their emotions, and then decide what move to make next, just like a human would.

Meet ‘Forhpeus’ (Future OMRON Robotics technology for Exploring Possibility of Harmonized Automation with Sinic theoretics), a ping pong paddle-wielding robot created to teach humans how to play the sport.
 
Forpheus was designed and manufactured by OMRON back in 2013 and was birthed out of the question, “Can a human beat a machine?” 

Now, after Forpheus’ seventh and newest generation, it might be one-nil in the machines VS humans battle. 
 
OMRON has recently equipped the robot with an all-new skill that allows it to assess its own mistakes and correct them before shooting its next shot.
 
On top of that, when playing doubles, it can read the emotions of its partner and, interestingly enough, empathize with them before making its next move.

All this is done through deep learning, which is handled by four cameras equipped throughout Forpheus. These cameras capture its opponent’s moves, style of playing, and emotions.
 
Forpheus presents an interesting conundrum to the advancement of AI and robots, where its skills in the sport do impress. However, the option to analyze and empathize with a human player is undoubtedly a scary move in terms of technological advancements.

 
 
 
[via Hypebeast and Boing Boing, images via various sources]