UC Berkeley and Unitree Robots Achieve 106-Shot Table Tennis Rally with Sub-Second Reaction Time; Unitree Debuts Combat Robots at UFC

Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a humanoid robot capable of playing fast-paced table tennis, demonstrating the ability to hit 106 consecutive shots with reaction times under one second. This achievement was made possible using a hierarchical planner combined with a reinforcement learning controller, addressing challenges in humanoid robots' coordination and balance during rapid movements. The Unitree G1 robot, a product of Chinese robotics technology, has also showcased similar table tennis capabilities, highlighting China's advancements in humanoid robotics. Additionally, Unitree Combat Robots recently made their debut at the UFC, signaling broader applications of robotic technology beyond sports. These developments indicate rapid progress in humanoid robotics, with fully autonomous robots now able to perform complex, high-speed physical tasks previously thought to require several more years of advancement.