Ace the AI Ping-Pong Robot Shows Speed, Not Invincibility

Sony’s Ace, an eight‑joint ping‑pong robot, proved competitive against elite players by using reinforcement-learning training in simulation and then transferring to a real arm with about 10 ms latency. The human players could Still exploit weaknesses (for example, a knuckle serve), showing it isn’t unbeatable. The study marks a milestone in AI-driven robotics but also raises concerns about real‑world applications, including potential battlefield uses.