The Acemate tennis robot, an AI-powered ball machine recognized as one of TIME magazine’s best inventions of 2025, has become available for hourly rental at Shenzhen’s Bao’an Sports Center.  

Unlike traditional ball machines that operate on predictable patterns and fire shots at fixed intervals, Acemate — developed by Shenzhen-based SwitchBot — functions like a real partner.

It tracks a player’s position and shot trajectory, moves autonomously into optimal positioning, and adjusts its returns within milliseconds. Using 4K binocular vision and high-dynamic interaction algorithms, it replicates spins, lobs, and drop shots, offering a match-like experience. 

Acemate also serves as a personalized AI coach. Through a companion app, it generates detailed post-session reports that highlight technical flaws — such as swing path inaccuracies or delayed footwork — based on data captured by built-in sensors and cameras.  

Users can lease the robot by scanning a QR code at a rental kiosk in the sports center. According to Southern Metropolis News, the hourly rate ranges from 80 to 100 yuan ($11.5-$14.4) during the initial trial operation period.

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