Robot volleyball machine helps Japan team practise attacks | New Scientist

by Alex Kirkpatrick

12 April 2017

share this:

To perfect their attacks, some of Japan’s top volleyball players are training against a robot that can mimic the tactics of opposing teams. The Japanese Volleyball Association’s “block machine” consists of three pairs of robotic arms that move side to side in front of the net. These represent blockers – players who defend against “spikes” from the attacking team that send the ball forcefully over the net, making it hard for opposing players to return it.

Click here for more.

Alex Kirkpatrick is a passionate writer and science communicator...

Robot Talk Episode 129 – Automating museum experiments, with Yuen Ting Chan

Robot Talk 17 Oct 2025

In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Yuen Ting Chan from Natural History Museum about using robots to automate molecular biology experiments.

What’s coming up at #IROS2025?

Lucy Smith 15 Oct 2025

Find out what the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems has in store.

From sea to space, this robot is on a roll

Texas A&M University 13 Oct 2025

Graduate students in the aptly named "RAD Lab" are working to improve RoboBall, the robot in an airbag.

Robot Talk Episode 128 – Making microrobots move, with Ali K. Hoshiar

Robot Talk 10 Oct 2025

In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Ali K. Hoshiar from University of Essex about how microrobots move and work together.

Interview with Zahra Ghorrati: developing frameworks for human activity recognition using wearable sensors

Lucy Smith and AIhub 08 Oct 2025

Zahra tells us more about her research on wearable technology.

Women in robotics you need to know about 2025

Women In Robotics 06 Oct 2025

This global list celebrates women's impact across the robotics ecosystem and globe.

Robot Talk Episode 127 – Robots exploring other planets, with Frances Zhu

Robot Talk 03 Oct 2025

In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Frances Zhu from the Colorado School of Mines about intelligent robotic systems for space exploration.

Mars rovers serve as scientists’ eyes and ears from millions of miles away – here are the tools Perseverance used to spot a potential sign of anci

The Conversation 02 Oct 2025

How do scientists engage with rover data and use robots such as Perseverance?