The ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE), running from November 5 to 10 in Shanghai, is giving global technology platforms a stage to showcase cutting-edge innovations. Among them is Hitch Open, a global open-source physical intelligence platform, which is making its debut at the expo.
Hitch Open is showing robots that play table tennis using autonomous AI decision-making. Throughout the expo, two full-size humanoid robots will play continuous rallies against each other every day, aiming to break the world record of 17 consecutive shots in a single rally, set previously at the World Humanoid Robot Games. Visitors can also take on the robots at the booth.
A motion capture system serves as "extra eyes," helping the robots track the ball's position and trajectory, while all data processing, analysis and final movement decisions take place inside the robots themselves.
The demonstration also features autonomous serving, with the robots using dexterous hands to hold, release, hit and retrieve the ball on their own. Each robot has about 0.3 seconds to perceive the ball, predict its trajectory, decide and swing, all while keeping its whole body balanced.
On November 7, Hitch Open held an event to unveil its open-source physical intelligence platform, open a joint innovation center, release its 2027 global competition calendar and introduce its youth brand, Hitch Open Junior. At the CIIE, Hitch Open also attemptd to beat the world record of 17 consecutive autonomous AI rallies set previously by teams from Peking University and the University of Hong Kong. Ultimately, the team led by Professor Gao Yue of Shanghai Jiao Tong University–Shanghai Innovation Institute, together with the Hitch Open platform, set a new world record of 142 consecutive rallies in the event.
The CIIE, first held in 2018, gives overseas businesses and platforms greater access to the Chinese market and a showcase for their latest technologies and solutions.
Video, Photos & Reporter | Jiang Chang
