Robot Central

Toyota just unveiled CUE7, a humanoid robot that can dribble, move, and shoot free throws on the basketball court. This development has sparked reactions online, with users calling its design the coolest humanoid yet and joking about NBA policy changes or robot ice hockey. The robot's skills show how far robotics has come in mimicking athletic moves.

Toyota's Basketball Robot Origins

Toyota has developed the CUE series of basketball-playing robots as a side project for employees. It started from a basic LEGO prototype and has evolved over time.¹ This effort demonstrates Toyota's expertise in robotics beyond its automotive work.¹

The CUE7 is the newest iteration in this series.¹ Fans praise its design as the coolest humanoid robot they have seen. Some even suggest practical starts like picking up trash along highways before dominating sports.

CUE7's Key Capabilities

CUE7 can dribble the ball, move on wheels, retrieve it independently, and shoot basketballs.¹ It handles free throws with precision, though one viewer noted a potential foul with its wheel over the line. Compared to Shaq, it excels at two out of three skills: moving and shooting.

The robot locks its visual sensors on the basket and estimates distance for shots.¹ It adjusts arm angle and posture for the best trajectory. This methodical approach makes its performance feel bigger than it appears.

Technical Features

CUE7 uses visual recogition to identify targets and assess distances.¹ Motion planning and control technologies help it execute accurate shots. It has superior sensing and planning compared to earlier models.¹

The robot can recognize patterns, adapt to mistakes, and change posture, arm position, and shot strength.¹ Online comments predict training it on Michael Jordan games via LLMs for even better play. A green tip from one user could end the game quickly.

Demonstrations and Records

In a YouTube video, CUE7 shoots from a stationary spot on the court.¹ It elevates the ball with both hands and releases with precise force and angle. Later versions show receiving passes, three-point shots, and dribbling.

Previous models set Guinness World Records, like CUE6 for the longest basketball shot and CUE3 for 2,020 consecutive free throws in 2019.¹ These achievements build excitement for CUE7's potential. Fans joke the Knicks will win championships once robots play.

Paths Forward / Looking Ahead

CUE7 showcases Toyota's work on embodied AI for complex athletic tasks that mimic human learning.¹ The robot learns from experiences and adapts to improve, much like athletes do. This could lead to broader uses in sports training or entertainment events. As NBA policies might need updates, robot basketball could become a real draw for crowds.

Toyota's commitment to advancing embodied AI continues with projects like CUE7.¹ Future versions might handle full games or other sports like ice hockey, as users speculate. Practical applications in factories or cleanup could follow, balancing fun demos with real-world needs. Overall, these robots push boundaries in AI and robotics integration.

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Sources for this article

1. Primary source supporting all facts on CUE7 features, history, technical capabilities, demonstrations, and Toyota's robotics efforts.