Задумывались ли вы когда нибудь о том, какая скорость у мяча в настольном теннисе?
Настольный теннис это одна из наиболее быстрых игр в мире. Профессиональные спортсмены способны играть с очень высокой скоростью… но насколько высокой может быть скорость мяча? Этот вопрос не давал мне покоя, я даже сделал видео на своем Youtube канале несколько недель назад:
А сегодня я с гордостью могу сказать
I am proud to tell you, that with the last app update you are able to select the exact speed and spin for every ball — the unique feature which any other robot doesn’t have! The maximum speed of a smash ball from TenniRobo is about 90kph (56mph). The maximum spin is more than fantastic 20000rmp!
Why do we need this feature?
Right now it’s easy to measure your progress with digits! For example, if in this month you can handle 10% faster shots than in the previous — you are growing. But can you handle the same drill with 15% higher pace? This achievement will definitely please your coach!
If you are able to create shots with the required speed and spin, then you are also able to simulate a game of PRO players (BTW, who is your favorite table tennis player?). Therefore, there’s an ability to compare your basic skills with someone else’s. If you can handle his/her fastest loops and other shots, then maybe you are a new top player. Maybe it’s just the right time to show the world your skillset!
A few examples
Ok, I’m not the first person, who is concerned with this question. There are a lot of forum threads with the discussion of this issue. Here are a few videos:
Dimitrij Ovtcharov hits the ball at a staggering 122kph (the thread on TabletennisDaily forum). Really fast, isn’t it?
What about a serve? Ok, here is an example of a serve with calculated speed of about 54kph. Here is the description
P.S. Some technical facts, or why other robots can’t do the same
The other robots just rotate their wheels with unknown speed thus nobody knows an exact ball speed they provide. But TenniRobo is a unique robot because it can precisely control the spin of each motor. When a controller says: «Hey, let’s rotate this motor with 5400rpm» — be sure that the motor is being rotated with 5400rpm (of course with a little tolerance). Thus when you know the speed of each motor, plus a few additional facts about mechanics then you are able to calculate an exact spin and speed for each ball.
To be honest, I had some doubts about this idea, thus I’ve decided to check it. The development had taken some time, but, after all, a special additional device for TenniRobo was completed. Just check out this brand new speed measurement tool:
The electronic device is mounted on a robot’s head and it measures the ball’s speed just after it leaves the head. The measurements are immediately transferring to PC via USB cable. I calibrated it with special equipment, compared calculations with practical results, and all of my doubts disappeared! The tolerance is about 8%, which is a pretty good result in my opinion.
P.S. 90kph is an astonishing speed for a ball, and I’m not sure if it’s possible to handle 122 kph pitch from Dimitrij Ovtcharov 🙂