Swiss Engineers Create a Badminton-Playing Robot

Engineers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich have unveiled a remarkable robot capable of playing badminton alongside humans. According to a report by HighTech, citing an article in Science Robotics, this innovative creation marks a significant stride in robotics.

The quadruped robot, named ANYmal-D, can skillfully return up to ten consecutive shuttlecock shots. Equipped with a stereo camera, it assesses the court with precision. A badminton racket, fixed to its robotic "arm," enables the machine to deliver accurate strikes.

Through reinforcement learning, ANYmal-D has mastered the art of anticipating the shuttlecock’s trajectory and navigating the court with agility. Its four-legged design provides superior stability and speed compared to bipedal models, allowing for seamless movement during play.

Testing has demonstrated that this four-legged athlete excels in human-robot interaction, responding swiftly, striking with precision, and maintaining balance while in motion.