Hardware: NVIDIA Jetson Nano

Use Case Provider: Vive Robotics

Application: Tennis ball retriever robot

Industry: Sports Technology, Robotics

Background

Tennis training and recreational play often involve significant time spent collecting tennis balls scattered across the court. This manual process interrupts practice sessions and reduces the efficiency of training time. Traditional ball collection methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming, particularly in professional training facilities and tennis academies.

The Challenge

Key challenges in tennis ball collection include:

  • Time-consuming manual collection process
  • Interruption of training sessions
  • Physical strain on players and coaches
  • Inefficient use of court time
  • Need for autonomous navigation in outdoor environments
  • Accurate ball detection and collection mechanisms

The Solution

Vive Robotics developed an AI-enabled tennis ball retrieving robot powered by NVIDIA Jetson Nano that provides:

  • Autonomous Navigation: Advanced pathfinding algorithms for efficient court coverage
  • Computer Vision: Real-time tennis ball detection and tracking
  • AI Processing: Machine learning algorithms for object recognition and classification
  • Precision Collection: Automated ball pickup mechanism
  • Smart Operation: Adaptive behavior based on court conditions

Key Features

The tennis ball retrieving robot incorporates several advanced features:

  • NVIDIA Jetson Nano: Powerful AI computing platform for real-time processing
  • Computer Vision: Advanced algorithms for ball detection and court mapping
  • Autonomous Movement: Intelligent navigation system with obstacle avoidance
  • Efficient Collection: Optimized pickup mechanism for various ball positions
  • Weather Resistance: Robust design suitable for outdoor tennis courts
  • Remote Monitoring: Real-time status updates and performance tracking

Applications

This solution benefits various tennis-related scenarios:

  • Professional tennis training facilities
  • Tennis academies and clubs
  • Recreational tennis courts
  • Tennis coaching and instruction
  • Tournament and competition venues
  • Private tennis courts

The Results

The implementation of AI-enabled ball retrieving robots has achieved:

  • Significant reduction in ball collection time
  • Increased efficiency of training sessions
  • Reduced physical strain on players and staff
  • Improved court utilization and productivity
  • Enhanced overall tennis experience
  • Cost savings through automation

Technical Advantages

The NVIDIA Jetson Nano platform provides:

  • AI Processing Power: 472 GFLOPS of compute performance
  • Computer Vision: Hardware-accelerated vision processing
  • Energy Efficiency: Low power consumption for extended operation
  • Compact Design: Small form factor suitable for mobile robotics
  • Developer-Friendly: Comprehensive software stack and development tools

More Info