Smart Table Tennis Paddles

THIS PROJECT IS SPONSORED by PCBWay!

A comprehensive system that transforms any ping pong table into an intelligent, connected playing field. The project completely eliminates the need to manually keep score during matches, automating every aspect of score tracking.

The main motivation came from frustration with score disputes during casual matches. Anyone who has played ping pong knows the situation: "It was 8-6 for me!" "No, it was 7-7!" - these arguments ruin the fun and interrupt the game flow.

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All my projects are shared for free, with the goal of helping and inspiring others in the maker and open-source community.

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Thank you for keeping these projects alive and accessible to everyone! 🙌

️️ PCB Manufacturing - Project Sponsored by PCBWay

This project was made possible thanks to PCBWay's sponsorship for all PCB manufacturing needs!

PCBWay provided:

1. ✅ Professional PCB DFM feedback
2. ✅ High-quality PCB fabrication
3. ✅ Component assembly services
4. ✅ Quality control and testing
5. ✅ Fast turnaround time

Why PCBWay? Their reliable manufacturing process ensured all three devices work flawlessly together, with perfect electrical connections and professional finish.

🎯 Kickstarter Campaign Coming Soon!

Get Ready for the Smart Rackets Revolution!

I'm excited to announce that Smart Rackets is launching on Kickstarter soon! This project has been a labor of love, and now it's time to bring it to ping pong enthusiasts worldwide.

💝 Support the Project

1. 🏓 Transform any ping pong table into a professional gaming experience
2. ⚡ Eliminate score disputes forever with synchronized real-time scoring
3. 🎮 Plug-and-play setup - no technical knowledge required
4. 🎵 Audio feedback for every point and game event
5. 📱 Future updates via wireless OTA system

The system consists of three main devices that communicate wirelessly:

🏓 Two "Smart Rackets" - One for each player, featuring:

1. OLED display showing personal score, opponent's score, sets won, and game time with auto-sync capability
2. Button for incrementing/decrementing points and accessing settings
3. Wireless firmware updates (OTA)

📺 Central LED Scoreboard - Two of a 32x8 LED matrix display that (OPTIONAL):

1. Shows real-time scores visible from both sides of the table
2. Indicates won sets with light indicators
3. Provides audio feedback for every event (point, set, corrections)
4. Automatically adapts for high scores (dynamic fonts)
5. Buzzer for audio feedback

🎯 Objective

Design and assemble electronic circuits for rackets and scoreboard.

https://github.com/savergiggio/Smart-Table-Tennis-Paddles-/blob/main/Kicad_PCB.zip

🛠️ PCB Design and Manufacturing Process

The heart of this project lies in the custom-designed printed circuit boards, which were meticulously crafted using KiCad , the powerful open-source electronics design automation suite. The design process began with careful component placement and routing optimization to ensure minimal interference and maximum performance in the compact racket housings.

Working with KiCad allowed for precise control over every aspect of the PCB layout, from trace width calculations for proper current handling to strategic placement of the ESP32 antenna areas for optimal wireless performance. The schematic capture phase involved detailed component selection and electrical rule checking to ensure robust circuit operation.

Once the design was finalized and thoroughly reviewed, the manufacturing files were sent to PCBWay , our trusted PCB manufacturing partner who sponsored this project. The quality delivered by PCBWay was truly exceptional - the boards arrived with perfect surface finish, precise hole drilling, and flawless solder mask application. The attention to detail in their manufacturing process was evident in every aspect, from the crisp silkscreen printing to the consistent copper thickness across all layers.

Images of the final PCB design and manufactured boards will be included to showcase the professional quality achieved.

🔧 SMD Assembly and Soldering Techniques

With the high-quality PCBs in hand, the next challenge was populating them with the numerous surface-mount components. This project utilized a hybrid approach combining hot plate SMD soldering with traditional soldering iron techniques to achieve professional-grade assembly results.

The SMD assembly process began with careful application of solder paste, followed by precise component placement using tweezers. The hot plate method proved invaluable for reflowing the smaller components like resistors, capacitors, and the ESP32 modules. This technique ensures even heat distribution and prevents thermal shock to sensitive components.

For larger components and through-hole parts like connectors and the OLED displays, a traditional soldering iron approach was employed. This combination of techniques allowed for the precision required by modern SMD components while maintaining the reliability that comes with proven soldering methods.

The result was a set of professionally assembled boards with clean solder joints, proper component alignment, and excellent electrical connectivity throughout.

🎯 Objective

Create ergonomic and functional housings to integrate electronics into rackets.

https://github.com/savergiggio/Smart-Table-Tennis-Paddles/blob/main/3D_filesv1.zip

📐 Design Specifications and Ergonomics

The racket housings were designed entirely in SolidWorks , a leading 3D CAD software, allowing for precise modeling and detailed analysis of the physical components. This comprehensive approach ensured that every curve and dimension was optimized for both functionality and user comfort.

Particular attention was paid to ergonomics and grip comfort . Multiple iterations were modeled and virtually tested to achieve a shape that feels natural and comfortable during extended play. The contours of the grip were carefully sculpted to provide a secure hold, reducing fatigue and preventing slippage, even during intense rallies. The weight distribution was also considered to ensure a balanced feel in the hand, contributing to better control and maneuverability.

Functional Requirements:

1. 🤏 Ergonomics - Comfortable grip for long sessions, designed for various hand sizes.
2. 🛡️ Protection - Robust housing to safeguard sensitive electronic components from impacts and moisture.
3. 🔌 Accessibility - Easy access to buttons and the OLED display for intuitive interaction.
4. 🔋 Charging - Conveniently placed and protected USB port for recharging.
5. 🌊 Resistance - Designed to withstand typical playing conditions, including sweat and minor impacts. Technical Considerations:
6. 📏 Optimal dimensions - Balancing the overall size and weight for playability and component integration.
7. 🔧 Assembly - A secure and intuitive closure system for easy assembly and maintenance.
8. 🌡️ Ventilation - Consideration for heat dissipation from internal components to ensure longevity.

🖨️ Development Process

1. SolidWorks CAD Modeling - Detailed 3D design and virtual prototyping.
2. Rapid Prototyping - 3D printing of test fits to validate physical dimensions and ergonomics.
3. Design Iterations - Continuous refinement based on physical tests and user feedback to enhance comfort and functionality.
4. Print Optimization - Fine-tuning printing parameters for optimal quality and durability of the final parts.

🎯 Objective

Implement the core logic, seamless wireless communication, and intuitive user interfaces that bring the Smart Rackets system to life.

https://github.com/savergiggio/Smart-Table-Tennis-Paddles-/blob/main/Players_Code.zip

🏗️ Software Architecture: The Brains Behind the Game

The software architecture is designed for robustness, responsiveness, and ease of use, ensuring a fluid and accurate ping pong experience. It's divided into key areas:

Communication: The ESP-NOW Backbone

1. 📡 ESP-NOW Protocol : At the heart of the system's communication is ESP-NOW, a fast, connectionless communication protocol that allows the ESP32 devices (rackets and scoreboard) to exchange data directly and efficiently. This choice was critical for achieving low-latency synchronization of scores and game states, ensuring that every point is registered instantly across all devices.
2. 🔄 Real-time Synchronization : The software meticulously handles data packets, ensuring that score updates, set changes, and game events are synchronized in real-time between the two rackets and the central scoreboard. This eliminates any discrepancies and provides an immediate, accurate reflection of the game's progress.
3. 🏓 Official Ping Pong Rules : The software meticulously implements the official rules of ping pong, supporting both 11-point and 21-point game formats. This includes precise tracking of individual player scores and the overall game state.
4. ⚖️ Advantage System : A sophisticated advantage system is integrated to correctly manage deuce situations, ensuring that players must win by two clear points, just like in professional matches.
5. 🏆 Set Management : The system accurately counts won sets for each player, providing a clear overview of the match progression. This is crucial for multi-set games.
6. 🔄 Automatic Reset : After a set is won or a game concludes, the software automatically resets scores and prepares the system for the next set or game, streamlining the playing experience.

📱 Implemented Features: A Rich User Experience

The software provides a comprehensive set of features across both the rackets and the scoreboard, enhancing the user's interaction with the system:

1. ✅ OLED Display : Each racket features a crisp OLED display that shows the local player's score, the opponent's score.
2. ✅ Button Handling : Intuitive button controls allow players to increment their score, correct errors (decrement score), and navigate through settings menus. The software ensures debouncing and proper event handling for reliable input.
3. ✅ Settings Menu : A user-friendly menu allows players to configure game parameters, such as the target score (11 or 21 points), directly from their racket's OLED display.
4. ✅ Battery Monitoring : Real-time battery level monitoring is displayed on the OLED, providing players with crucial information about their racket's charge status.
5. ✅ Stopwatch : An integrated stopwatch function tracks the duration of the game, adding another layer of utility.
6. ✅ OTA Updates : Over-the-Air (OTA) update capability allows for wireless firmware upgrades, making it easy to deploy new features or bug fixes without needing physical connection.
7. ✅ Audio Feedback : A small buzzer provides distinct audio cues for score increments, set changes, and other game events, enhancing the multi-sensory experience. Scoreboard (TabelloPingPong.ino):
8. ✅ LED Matrix Display : The central scoreboard utilizes a vibrant LED matrix to display the current scores prominently, visible from a distance.
9. ✅ Dynamic Fonts : The software dynamically adjusts font sizes based on the score values, ensuring optimal readability whether the score is low or high.
10. ✅ Dual View : The scoreboard provides a dual-view display, showing both players' scores clearly, often with color coding (e.g., blue for Player 1, red for Player 2).
11. ✅ Set Indicators : Small, colored dots or segments on the LED matrix indicate the number of sets won by each player, providing a quick match overview.