An AI-powered tennis robot is emerging as a new training partner for players at a tennis centre in Shenzhen, south China, offering a glimpse into how smart technology is reshaping sports practice.

During training sessions, the robot takes position on the opposite side of the court, tracking players’ shots in real time. It can move swiftly across the court, catch incoming balls and return them with notable accuracy, creating realistic rally conditions tailored to individual playing styles.

Local player Zeng said she was impressed by the robot’s responsiveness, noting that “when I run during the rally, it follows my pace and knows to speed up [or] slow down”.

Equipped with 4K binocular cameras and an intelligent decision-making system, the robot analyses ball speed, trajectory and landing points with millisecond-level precision, adjusting shots automatically through a closed-loop process.

Developed by OneRobotics Shenzhen and named “Acemate”, the robot also provides detailed performance analysis. According to the company, it helps players understand “where they need to improve” while tracking progress across training sessions.

Source: China Central Television