Table tennis has come a long way since its inception. Thanks to the constant innovation of new technologies, the sport has been revolutionized forever. From the introduction of the 40mm ball to the development of TTR (Table Tennis Review) technology, the game has seen significant changes in terms of speed, power, and rotation. TTR was developed by technology company RigourTech and is similar to the Hawk-Eye technology used in other sports.
This algorithm, which learns by trial and error, was able to return the ball reliably and was configured to control the movement of a robotic arm placed next to a real table. The design of table tennis rackets has also changed dramatically over time. Players can now choose from a variety of paddles with different surfaces, depending on their personal preferences. This has resulted in many significant changes in the style of play.
Yapeng Gao, Jonas Tebbe and Andreas Zell, from the University of Tübingen (Germany), began by designing a computer simulation in which a virtual robotic arm equipped with a table tennis racket tried to return ping pong balls to a virtual ping-pong table. In addition, thanks to the introduction of inorganic glue and new materials, the speed, power and rotation of table tennis have weakened to varying degrees. The weakest degree of rotation is now the highest. This is good for improving the excitement of table tennis, lowering the technical threshold, and increasing public appeal.
The most important component when it comes to playing table tennis is still the surface of the paddle that is used to hit the ball. Butterfly, one of the most renowned manufacturers of rackets and table tennis equipment, is constantly venturing into new territories to perfect the fiber material used for these rackets. For the first time in history of table tennis, athletes can also verify the referee's decision using camera viewing technology. The ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) has also banned many manufacturing practices and adjustments. In conclusion, technology has allowed table tennis to reach its full potential and has transformed it into an exciting sport with high public appeal. With more powerful rubber surfaces and improved racket designs, players can now enjoy faster speeds and greater punching power.
