Dual-armed Teutonic robot plays pool, carefully learns to hustle foolish humans
![](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_YUv3Jsm2uoLZ0Wo86VRyg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0Mg--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/fUKYLTKihWRiqCf1536PGA--~B/aD0zMzk7dz02MDA7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/06/robotpool.jpg)
Sure, we've created interactive pool tables and digitally assisted billiards, but isn't it time we completely outsourced our pool-playing to brutally efficient robots? The Germans obviously think so, using this year's International Conference on Robotics and Automation to debut a dual-armed poolbot able to make "easier" shots about 80 percent of the time. Those misses sound a bit like hustling to us, and unlike Willow Garage's friendly PR2 robot, the German version has a suitably intimidating, industrial look. It's also a bit of a cheat, using an overhead camera to plan its shots. For the full lowdown on this shark, check the video after the break.