College
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Date of Last Revision
2026-05-07 06:09:01
Major
Electrical Engineering
Honors Course
Senior Design Project
Number of Credits
6
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2026
Abstract
Air hockey, a popular arcade game, is traditionally designed for two players. This limits the game’s accessibility for individuals who wish to practice or enjoy it as a single player. To solve this problem, a robotic system was implemented to play air hockey against a human player. The speed and acceleration of the puck and mallet were measured from a game played between humans to inform the required movement capabilities of the robot. The robotic opponent implemented observes the location of the puck on the table using a camera and predicts where it will be in the future. A Cartesian gantry mechanism then moves the robot's mallet to intercept the puck. The prediction and movement capabilities allow the robot to play against its opponent with a skill level comparable to a human, capable of both defensive and offensive gameplay strategies. For a tailored challenge to the individual's liking, there is the option to adjust the difficulty of the robot, allowing a wider range of people to enjoy their experience while playing.
Research Sponsor
Michael Lichter
First Reader
Michael Lichter
Second Reader
Robert Veillette
Honors Faculty Advisor
Yilmaz Sozer
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Community Engaged Scholarship
No
Recommended Citation
Forcey, William; Piunno, Andrew; Carpenter, Kaden; and Zavatchen, Xander, "Robotic Air Hockey Table" (2026). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 2191.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/2191