Sony AI’s autonomous table-tennis robot Ace has accomplished a groundbreaking feat by becoming the first robot to challenge top-tier human players. According to Reuters, Ace, developed by Sony’s AI research division in Japan, has achieved a remarkable level of proficiency in a competitive physical sport that demands quick decision-making and precise execution, as stated by the project’s head.

Ace achieved this milestone through the utilization of advanced techniques such as high-speed perception, AI-driven control, and cutting-edge robotic technology. While there have been ping-pong-playing robots since 1983, none have been able to match the skill of highly proficient human opponents until now. Ace managed to break this barrier by competing against elite human players and professionals in matches sanctioned by the International Table Tennis Federation under the supervision of certified umpires.

The primary objective of the project was not only to excel in table tennis but also to gain insights into how robots can exhibit human-like speed and accuracy in dynamic environments through perception, planning, and action. In documented matches, Ace won three out of five games against elite players in April 2025 and lost two matches against professional players, who represent the highest skill level in the sport.

Sony AI highlighted that Ace continued its success by defeating professional players in December 2025 and most recently. Peter Durr, the director of Sony AI Zurich and leader of the Ace project, remarked that Ace’s triumph underscores the potential for applying similar methodologies in fields requiring rapid real-time control and human interaction, such as manufacturing, service robotics, sports, entertainment, and safety-critical domains.

The comprehensive findings from these achievements have been published in the prestigious journal Nature.