Willow Garage PR2 robot plays pool, gives Fast Eddie a run for his money (video)

We're pretty big fans of Willow Garage, and its generous support of the open source Robot Operating System (ROS). For its latest trick, the company has developed a system to teach its PR3 robot billiards. Unlike projects we've seen in the past, Poolshark doesn't rely on overhead cameras to calculate moves. Rather, it's forced to conform to standard rules: it can only shoot from where the cue ball lay, and it sights shots from the same vantage point as human player would. And, you know what? While not perfect, the robot does pretty well. Not bad for a week's work, eh? Video after the break.

[gschier Posted Jun 17th 2010 2:27AM]

THIS.............>>>>IS..........>>>>>>>>>AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dking7 Posted Jun 17th 2010 2:27AM]

They got it other way around, robots work, humans have fun.. not other ways around..

[recharged95 Posted Jun 17th 2010 11:52AM]

@Dking7

We're already tired of working. (well cleaning up after Humans).

[Happy Posted Jun 17th 2010 4:28PM]

@Dking7 Until robots take over.

[HotDog Posted Jun 17th 2010 2:27AM]

I guess it's safe to say I'm addicted to engadget when I'm waiting for a post 2am in the morning.

[Xent Posted Jun 17th 2010 2:32AM]

@HotDog
I know right? Engadget its so addicting especially when you have a Smartphone with the Engadget app.

[Leobons Posted Jun 17th 2010 9:50AM]

@HotDog You gotta go outside the Internet to get a girl, they're not here...

[H264 Posted Jun 17th 2010 2:28AM]

So this is what Chuck Bartowski does in between seasons.

[Coke Posted Jun 17th 2010 2:29AM]

Cue Darth Vader with perfect response..?

[GDrag14 Posted Jun 17th 2010 2:31AM]

PR3? Not quite.

Looks awesome, though!

[n2neee Posted Jun 17th 2010 2:41AM]

I play pool and i like computers...


but maaannnn thats cheating!!

[Massive Poop Posted Jun 17th 2010 2:49AM]

Hahahaha loo at the gi in the backround....he's getting an oargasm from robot pool xD

[vlad786 Posted Jun 17th 2010 3:34AM]

SWEET!

[thunderbollock Posted Jun 17th 2010 3:41AM]

The real challenge will be teaching robots to play pocket billiards. That is something I would pay to watch...

[thisNthat Posted Jun 17th 2010 5:10AM]

@thunderbollock

You like watching people play pocket billiard, too?

[thunderbollock Posted Jun 17th 2010 5:37AM]

@thisNthat
How dare you! That is disgusting!

I draw the line at robots and animals (preferably at the same time).

[atlosass Posted Jun 17th 2010 7:05AM]

When robots enslave mankind we'll look back at videos like this and ask ourselves, "why??"

[savagemike Posted Jun 17th 2010 8:11AM]

Isn't that the same physical setup as the bot folding laundry recently?

[whiskers Posted Jun 17th 2010 10:08AM]

@savagemike

The laundry-folding robot WAS the PR2.

[jveteran Posted Jun 17th 2010 10:10AM]

Gay Robot's in the house.

[geminiman7 Posted Jun 17th 2010 10:43AM]

First chess, then jepordy. Now Pool. Next thing you know we'll be batteries for their next game lol

[djsiek Posted Jun 17th 2010 7:37PM]

I'm so happy that Willow Garage is happening. It really pushes us forward to having PR's at home. Great work