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Athletes In production Forpheus

Forpheus

Omron

“The coach of the ping-pong court”

Can stand in for

Table-tennis training partner · Sports performance coach · Interactive trade-show demonstrator

Strength 30
Dexterity 72
Autonomy 55
Empathy 68
IQ 78
How we rate our robots

Each robot is scored from 0 to 100 on five traits, based on its real specs. When in doubt we score low, never flattering.

  • Strength — Lifting capacity, payload and raw power — how heavy a load it can handle.
  • Dexterity — Fine motor skills: hands, manipulation precision and speed of movement.
  • Autonomy — How long and how independently it runs — battery life and self-direction.
  • Empathy — Social & emotional skills: voice, expressions and interaction with people.
  • IQ — On-board intelligence: perception, reasoning and ability to learn.

If it were human

“Like a patient, eagle-eyed sports coach who reads your every move and adjusts their teaching style in real time.”

Forpheus is Omron’s table-tennis coaching robot and one of the most recognisable faces on the international tech trade-show circuit. Built around a multi-axis robotic arm, it uses a network of sensors and cameras to track the ball, the paddle, and the player’s body in real time, enabling it to both rally and adapt its play to the human across the net.

Where Forpheus stands out is its coaching intelligence. It analyses a player’s skill level on the fly and adjusts ball speed, spin, and placement accordingly — challenging beginners just enough to help them improve, and pushing more experienced players harder. Its AI reads facial expressions and body language to gauge the player’s emotional state, tailoring the session to keep motivation high.

A long-running star of events like CEATEC, Forpheus has evolved through multiple generations since its debut, each iteration adding greater precision, faster reaction times, and richer coaching feedback. Omron developed it as a showcase for its core sensing and control technologies, but the robot is far more than a demo — it embodies a genuine vision of human-machine collaboration built on trust and mutual improvement.

At the agency, Forpheus is the rare find that combines athletic precision with genuine pedagogical warmth. It will not replace your love of the game — it will deepen it, one rally at a time.

Tech sheet

Creator
Omron
Country
Japan
Type
Robotic arm
Status
In production
See at the manufacturer
Features
  • AI
  • Vision
  • Sensors
  • Real-time coaching
  • Ball-tracking

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Forpheus robot?

Forpheus is a table-tennis coaching robot built by Omron. It uses a robotic arm, sensors, and AI to rally with human players and provide real-time coaching tailored to their skill level.

What can the Forpheus robot do during a training session?

The Forpheus robot tracks the ball and the player's movements to adjust ball speed, spin, and placement in real time. It also reads the player's facial expressions and body language to keep the session motivating and appropriately challenging.

Who makes the Forpheus robot and where does it come from?

Forpheus is made by Omron, a Japanese automation and electronics company. It has been regularly showcased at major technology trade shows such as CEATEC in Japan.

How advanced is the AI on the Forpheus robot?

The Forpheus robot's AI analyses player skill level on the fly, adapts its play style accordingly, and even interprets emotional cues from the player's face and posture. Each generation of the robot has brought improved reaction times and richer coaching capabilities.

Is the Forpheus robot available to buy?

Forpheus is primarily a showcase product developed by Omron to demonstrate its sensing and control technologies. Availability for individual purchase is not publicly confirmed; interested parties should contact Omron directly.