Ultrasound-Driven Curveball in Table Tennis - Human Activity Support via Noncontact Remote Object Manipulation

Explore an innovative approach to human augmentation in table tennis through a conference talk presenting an ultrasound-driven curveball system. Delve into the concept of manipulating a moving ping-pong ball using noncontact ultrasound forces, allowing players to shoot curveballsregardless of their physical abilities. Discover the system's configuration, which enables players to control curve timing and direction using a racket-shaped controller. Examine the results of two user studies: a qualitative assessment of an actual table tennis match and a quantitative evaluation using a ball dispenser, demonstrating the system's effectiveness in increasing opponent mistakes. Gain insights into the feasibility of this novel approach to physically supporting human activities through noncontact remote object manipulation.