Ping Pong vs. an Invisible Opponent

Fun & Games Technology


This fun toy, shaped exactly like a Ping Pong paddle, allows the user to play a rousing game against an invisible opponent.

The Self Table Tennis senses how hard you are swinging and plays an appropriate volume sound to match. There are three game styles- easy and hard rally and rhythm mode. I’m still a little unclear (even after watching the video) how you win or lose points but it looks like fun to just swing the racket around and hit invisible balls around.

It looks pretty nifty, but seems more like a technical challenge to me. Could a microcontroller and an accelerometer have any seasoned maker heading in the right direction toward a DIY version of this? [via Craziest Gadgets]

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4 thoughts on “Ping Pong vs. an Invisible Opponent

  1. VRAndy says:

    I love how at tradeshows like this the demo girl (it’s usually a girl, unless it’s a fighting game, then it’s usually a dude) is always going through these exaggerated movements that mimic the real game.

    We all know that when we get one of those things we’ll just be sitting on a couch slightly flipping our wrist. 

    Not even really because we’re lazy, but because video games encourage us to optimize and find the easiest, most reliable, most sustainable path to the next happy sound effect.

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In addition to being an online editor for MAKE Magazine, Michael Colombo works in fabrication, electronics, sound design, music production and performance (Yes. All that.) In the past he has also been a childrens' educator and entertainer, and holds a Masters degree from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program.

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