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Predictive vs Reactive Robot Paddle

A robotic table-tennis paddle predicts the ball's future flight — gravity plus Magnus spin curve — and moves to the intercept point before the ball arrives, versus a purely reactive paddle that always lags the ball's current position. Launch balls at adjustable speed and spin and compare hit rates side by side.

Robotics & Kinematics3DAdvanced60 FPS

Two robotic table-tennis paddles face identical incoming balls, launched side by side with the same speed and spin. The left arm reacts only to the ball's current position with a small vision delay and a capped top speed, so it is structurally always a step behind — especially once spin bends the flight path. The right arm instead forecasts the full trajectory — gravity plus the Magnus force from spin — the instant the ball is launched, and drives to the predicted intercept point ahead of time. Tune speed and spin and watch the hit-rate gap between the two strategies grow.

⚙ Under the hood

Two robotic table-tennis paddles face identical fast, spinning serves side by side: a reactive arm that only ever chases the ball's current position with a small vision delay, and a predictive arm that forecasts the full trajectory — gravity plus the Magnus spin curve — the instant the ball launches and drives straight to the intercept point. Tune speed and spin and watch the hit-rate gap widen with a live tally for both strategies.

roboticstable tennisMagnus effecttrajectory predictioninterceptionspinsports robotics

3D · Three.js / WebGL renderer · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install