Problem Statement:

To assist in teaching table tennis for solo players by automating ball return as a part of the Innovation School Residency.

Idea:

A device that would project balls to the player and keep a score of the number of returns made back to the other side of the table.

Objectives:

• Training of athletes without the need of a second player/coach. 
• Keeping track of scores precisely to ensure fair play. 
• Project balls to cater to difficulty levels based on the player’s ability in table tennis, from beginner to advanced.
• Develop player’s skill of reflex, accuracy, and technique by projecting shots in various yet consistent styles.
• Monitor and collect data on the player’s performance by keeping track of the returns of projections that the player successfully makes.
• Allow the user to customize speed, spin, frequency, and trajectory of the balls to better suit their practice.  
• Create an engaging and fun tool that encourages physical activity within all age groups and makes improving table tennis easier. 

Final Solution:

Our final project aims to provide a practice partner for a table tennis player. Essentially, the solution is to build a ball projecting machine to serve a ball. The use of DC motors would primarily provide the function of ball projection as required.

While ensuring successful ball projection to the player, the project would also keep track of if the player has managed to successfully return the projection to the other side of the table. This will be tracked using vibration sensors placed at the machine-side of the table. If the sensor indicate vibrations, that will show that the player has returned the ball to the other side of the net.

With this project, we hope to create an innovative solution to allow players to practice with consistency and less dependency, making it more engaging as well.

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