🎾 In the context of tennis ball machines:

• It’s the size of the internal hopper (the basket/tank).
• Determines how long you can train without refilling.

Typical ranges:

• Small / portable machines → ~50–80 balls
• Mid-range machines → ~100–150 balls
• High-end / club-level machines → ~200–300+ balls

Why it matters:

• Higher capacity = longer sessions (fewer interruptions)
• Lower capacity = lighter, more portable

Example:

If a machine has a ball capacity of 120 and feeds 1 ball every 3 seconds:

• You get ~6 minutes of continuous play before refilling

Official website : https://landing.inboditech.com/

InBodyTech is entering the market with an ambitious product: a mobile AI-powered ball machine paired with an autonomous ball collector.

But is this just another ball machine—or a real game changer?

Let’s break it down.

A New Concept: More Than Just a Ball Machine

Unlike traditional machines (which are static), this one moves on the court.

That changes everything.

Instead of predictable feeds, you get:

• Dynamic positioning
• More realistic rally simulation
• Training closer to real match conditions

👉 This is one of the most important innovations we’ve seen in years in the ball machine space.

Two Products, Four Versions

The system is built around two separate devices:

1. The Ball Machine

• Basic version: standard programmable ball machine
• Pro version: AI-powered training (adaptive drills, smart patterns)

2. The Ball Collector Robot

• Basic version: autonomous ball pickup
• Pro version adds:
  • Voice commands (start/stop collection)
  • Auto-follow system
  • Smart reports (usage / efficiency data)

💡 Important insight:
The difference between Basic and Pro is much more impactful on the machine than on the collector.

The collector is already valuable in its basic form—the Pro features are more about convenience than transformation.

The Real Game-Changer: Autonomous Ball Collection

Let’s be clear:

👉 The ball collector might be the most valuable part of the system.

Why?

Because it solves the #1 problem in training:

• Wasted time picking up balls

With this system:

1. The machine feeds balls
2. You train continuously
3. The robot collects everything

Result:

• Higher intensity sessions
• Less fatigue
• More repetitions

📈 For coaches and academies, this is a massive productivity boost.

Multi-Sport Capability: A Unique Selling Point

This is where the product becomes really interesting.

The machine is not limited to tennis:

• Tennis
• Pickleball
• Baseball
• Table tennis

⚠️ Note:

• For baseball and table tennis, the machine needs to be elevated or adjusted

Still, this makes it:

• Ideal for multi-sport clubs
• Highly versatile compared to competitors

👉 Very few machines on the market can do this.

What About the AI?

The Pro version introduces AI features such as:

• Smarter shot variation
• Adaptive drills
• Potential performance tracking

However:

⚠️ The core innovation is NOT the AI

The real breakthroughs are:

• Mobility
• Automation
• System integration

AI is a bonus layer, not the foundation.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

• Moving ball machine (huge innovation)
• Autonomous ball collection
• Continuous training loop
• Multi-sport capability
• Strong “wow factor”

❌ Cons

• Likely high price point
• Setup complexity (two devices)
• Limited added value of “Pro” collector features
• Multi-sport requires adjustments (not plug-and-play)

Who Is This For?

This system is clearly designed for:

🎾 Clubs & Academies

• Maximize court efficiency
• Run high-intensity training sessions

🧑‍🏫 Coaches

• Save time during sessions
• Focus on coaching instead of logistics

🎯 Serious Players

• Train longer without interruptions
• Simulate real match conditions

Final Verdict

The InBodyTech system is not just a ball machine—it’s a complete training ecosystem.

👉 The mobility + ball collection combo is the real breakthrough
👉 The AI is secondary but adds value
👉 The multi-sport angle is a major differentiator

⭐ Our Take:

If the product delivers on its promises, it could disrupt the ball machine market.

But the real question remains:
👉 Will the execution match the ambition?

Why do I say that? There are several fairly clear signs.

First of all, it is made by Pongbot. And Pongbot is not some new player coming out of nowhere. They are the company behind the Pace Ace Pro, which I tested thoroughly, and which still seems to me, at the time of writing, to be the best ball machine available right now. Really. It set the bar very high.

It is also worth remembering that Pongbot comes from the table tennis ball machine world, with several already well-developed models. So they clearly have real industrial and software expertise in this kind of product. The Pace Ace Pro was a first step into tennis, and it was obvious that if it succeeded, they would not stop there.

So seeing a new range arrive was almost expected. And with this Aura, you immediately understand the strategy: offering a more portable, more accessible model that is clearly positioned as a direct competitor to the Tenniix.

And on paper, there are already quite a few attractive elements: a compact format, probably strong software integration (in line with what they already know how to do), and a very practical on-court approach.

- Multi-use: Tennis | Pickleball | Padel
- AI inside
- Voice control
- Built-in camera
- Advanced stats and ball analysis
- Lightweight and portable: 7 kg

...plus the Pongbot expertise on top of that... you see what I mean...

In short, even if we remain cautious until it has actually been tested, there are clearly signs that do not lie. Everything suggests that the Pongbot Aura is going to be a very good ball machine.

Pre-order it here and soon on Kickstarter

Quick question about tennis shoes.

Do expensive models really make a noticeable difference, or are we mostly paying for the brand name?

I’m currently hesitating between mid-range and top-tier shoes, and I’m not sure if the price jump is actually justified.

I play a few times a week on hard courts, so comfort and durability matter, but I don’t want to overspend if it’s not necessary.

Would love to hear your experiences, especially if you’ve tried both price ranges.

Random one, but I’m curious 😂

What’s the weirdest habit you’ve ever seen on a tennis court?

I once played a guy who bounced the ball like 20 times before every single serve… no joke. By the second set, it was driving me crazy 😅

I get that everyone has routines, but some are just next level.

Curious to hear if you’ve seen worse or played against someone with really unusual habits.

I’ve been running into the same issue for a while now…

Why is it so hard to find consistent hitting partners?

I feel like people either cancel last minute, disappear after a couple of sessions, or only want to play matches. Don’t get me wrong, matches are great. But sometimes I just want solid practice rallying, drills, working on consistency.

It’s frustrating because having regular hitting sessions would help improve way more than random matches here and there.

How do you guys deal with this at your club? Any tips to find more reliable partners?