Toyota's Basketball Robot Steals the Show at Tokyo Olympics
A seven-foot robot developed by Toyota engineers wows crowds at the Tokyo Olympics by sinking flawless shots, including a perfect half-court three-pointer.
A seven-foot robot developed by Toyota engineers steals the spotlight at the Tokyo Olympics during a halftime break between the U.S. and France. The eerie-looking automaton wows the crowd by seamlessly sinking a free throw, a three-pointer, and a flawless half-court shot with perfect accuracy.
The robot, which appears to be the updated CUE4 model, features a bumpy surface, oversized hands, and moves on two wheels. It uses sensors on its torso and a camera eye to calculate the distance and basket angle before motorized arms and knees execute the precise shooting motion.
Despite its unbeatable consistency in free throw duels, the robot currently lacks the speed and agility to compete with professional human players in a full game. Toyota engineers note that it will take roughly two decades for this type of machine to acquire advanced skills like running or dunking on a basketball court.