01
Autonomous Launcher
Launches tennis balls to specific bounce locations with controlled spin, speed and height, adjusting trajectory in real time in response to the player.
Open tennis robot project
A tennis robot you can build, modify, and improve
The BallBOPPer™ is an autonomous tennis robot and a tennis tactics and strategy research platform. It plays points, games, sets and matches in the style of a specific opponent — and soon every model, design file, and line of software behind it will be open-source and available to use.
Latest Lab Notes
Platform capabilities
A research instrument that happens to play tennis.
02
Autonomous Elevator
Elevates the launch head dynamically to realistically simulate the heights that a real player hits from. This greatly increases realism especially for serving.
03
Autonomous Rover
Transports the launcher around the court at human-like speeds, launching from positions based on the trajectory of each returned ball.
04
Autonomous Reloader
Attaches to the rover to collect balls and return them to the ball revolver at high speed so practice time is spent on skills rather than picking up balls.
05
Tactical Tennis App
Runs the tennis AI models on an iOS, Android, Windows or Mac. Can be combined with Bluetooth headset for voice control and coaching feedback.
06
Portable, Battery Powered
Fits in a car, rolls like luggage, runs on removable interchangeable batteries, and works on any standard court with no installation.
07
True Game Play™ (TGP) Simulation
Plays points, games, sets and matches while simulating the competitive playing style of one of your actual upcoming opponents.
08
New Features In Development
Additional features are currently in development and testing including the ability to catch and return each ball for completely realistic rally play.
Designs
The platform including hardware and software are going open-source.
Once the robot completes its testing phase, the hardware design files and embedded control software will be released under an open licensing arrangement that empowers builders, researchers, educators, developers, and manufacturers to create, customise, and evolve the platform for themselves.
Hardware
Design files
Mechanical 3D models, wiring layouts, and bill of materials for the rover, launcher, and reloader.
Software
Embedded software controller
Roving and launching control software that is embedded in the hardware.
Licence
Open licensing
An arrangement that lets builders, researchers, educators, developers, and manufacturers customise and evolve the platform.
Community
Contributing
Reproduce the results, file findings, propose hardware revisions, and publish derivative platforms.
MORE LAB NOTES
The experimental record
HardwareAug 31, 2026
BallBOPPer™ 2026 Rover Overview
New drive system, new computation and controllers, new wrangling system, embedded batteries and 360-degree sensors make the 2026 BallBOPPer™ Rover a faster, stronger and more efficient mover on a tennis court.
ResearchAug 27, 2026
BallBOPPer™ 2026 Ball Revolver Overview
The Ball Revolver is an important addition to the 2026 BallBOPPer™ that provides a number of useful capabilities.
ResearchAug 25, 2026
BallBOPPer™ 2026 Launch Head Reveal
The Launch Head has evolved along with everything else about the BallBOPPer™ 2026 but the most important aspects of the design are much the same as the original patent.
Follow the release schedule.
New papers, data tables, and design-file drops, sent when they are published. No marketing.