The field of mechanized shuttlecock locomotion has now come into existence. Researchers at the Flanders Mechatronics Technology Centre in Belgium have built a robot that can play quite a convincing game of badminton. Stereo sensors and quick-reflex mechatronic devices make the machine possible, and their JADA software system predicts where, when, and how hard to smack the birdy.

The robot only functions on the X-axis for now, so sneaky drop shots are the bane of its existence until some longitudinal motion is implemented. Word is they’re planning to add that soon, so get yourself ready for even trickier robotic badminton action.

[via Technabob]