Table Tennis Robot 1.0

Table Tennis Robot 1.0



This is a personal project that I have wanted to make for a long time and finally had some time to do so this Summer. The idea is to build a small robot that can launch table tennis balls one by one with either topspin or backspin, at either the forehand or backhand.  It uses skills related to mechanical/mechatronic design and control systems.  I have not completed it yet, but here is a chronological progress update via photos/video (edit from 2020: I scrapped the original prototype and built a new robot)

One of the early sketches

An early CAD model in SolidWorks

The assembled 3D-printed parts


If you are interested in making your own, reach out to me (kev.supakkul@gmail.com) and I can give a detailed step-by-step process of how to make it.  Here is a list of materials:

  • Arduino Uno (or any other microcontroller) with USB cable 
  • 2x uxcell 4300 rpm 12V DC motor with encoder (I have only bought one so far, but ideally you use an encoded motor for both flywheels to control the 2D angular velocity)
  • L298N motor driver
  • 2x motor shaft coupler (I used a 2mm to 2mm coupler for the uxcell 4300 rpm motor)
  • 2x shaft (I used a 2mm x 10 cm shaft)
  • 2x small rubber wheels (I used RC car wheels that were about 2.5 inches in diameter)
  • Miuzei SG90 9g micro servo
  • Hitec HS-322HD servo
  • Power source that can provide ~2 Amps of current (I used an Event KPS305D DC power supply: it has been fantastic so far and I would recommend it)
  • Hot glue, duct tape, or other adhesives
Here is some useful software or other tools:
  • SolidWorks (or other 3D CAD software)
  • Visual Studio Code with Platform IO or Arduino IDE (for programming the Arduino)
  • Access to 3D printer or laser cutter for rapid prototyping
  • MATLAB for control systems analysis (I used MATLAB's sisotool aka Control System Designer for simple PD control analysis)
  • Digital Multimeter for debugging the circuit

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