Table tennis training technology just picked up one of the sport's biggest names. At a brand launch event in Shanghai on April 13, 2026, PongBot announced that Grand Slam champion Zhang Jike has signed on as the company's global brand ambassador, timed to the release of its new OMNI PRO training robot and a limited commemorative edition carrying his name.
What PongBot Announced
PongBot used the Shanghai event to make two announcements at once. The first was Zhang Jike's appointment as global brand ambassador, a role the company frames around his reputation for precision and uncompromising performance on the table. The second was the OMNI PRO robot itself, released alongside a limited black gold "Zhang Jike Commemorative Edition" aimed squarely at fans and collectors.
The company also confirmed it had closed a Series A funding round around the same period, part of a run of financing that pushed its total raised to roughly 200 million yuan across a series of rounds completed in under a year. PongBot was incubated out of Shanghai University of Sport, and its founder, Zhang Haibo, has a background in computer vision along with more than a decade building training robotics, including work on a national team level table tennis robot.
Who Is Zhang Jike
Zhang Jike is one of only two men in history to complete a career Grand Slam, having won Olympic, World Championship, and World Cup singles titles. His run to the 2011 World Championship title in Rotterdam, completed within roughly a year of turning professional at the top level, remains one of the fastest Grand Slam completions the sport has seen. He is known for an aggressive, high risk backhand and forehand attacking style, and for a fiery, expressive presence on court that made him one of the most recognizable players of his generation.
That name recognition is exactly what a training equipment brand looks for in an ambassador. Robot and ball machine makers have increasingly leaned on retired or active professionals to signal that their products hold up to serious training demands, not just casual weekend practice.
Inside the OMNI PRO Robot
The OMNI PRO sits at the top of PongBot's lineup, built for players, coaches, and clubs who want a realistic, high volume training partner rather than a basic feeder. Key specs include:
- Ball speed and spin: Feeds balls up to 15 meters per second with spin rates as high as 100 revolutions per second, with fully adjustable 360 degree spin control.
- Realistic rally simulation: Delivers up to 90 balls per minute and can switch between short and long balls in as little as 0.66 seconds, closer to the rhythm of a live opponent than a fixed feeding pattern.
- Drill library: Ships with several hundred pre-programmed drills spanning skill levels, plus an open library where users can build, save, and share custom routines through the PongBot app.
- AI-assisted coaching: Training programs adapt feedback based on the player's performance, aiming to close the gap between solo drilling and working with a live coach.
- Control options: Operated through either the E-Pad S handheld controller or the PongBot smartphone app, with multi-language support.
The Zhang Jike Commemorative Edition
Alongside the standard OMNI PRO, PongBot released a limited black gold commemorative edition tied directly to the ambassador announcement. The special edition keeps the same core hardware and training software as the standard OMNI PRO, with a distinct black and gold finish that positions it as a collector's release for fans of Zhang Jike as much as a training tool.
For most buyers, the standard OMNI PRO delivers the same on-table performance at a lower price. The commemorative edition is best thought of as the version to chase if the name on the robot matters as much as what it does.
Why This Signing Matters
Equipment brands have long paid professionals to use their gear, but training robots are a newer category for this kind of high profile backing. A player with Zhang Jike's résumé lending his name to a robot line is a signal that Chinese table tennis technology companies are chasing the same credibility that rubber and blade brands have built for decades, and that serious training hardware is being marketed to competitive players, not just recreational buyers looking for a novelty gadget.
Curious how a training robot like the OMNI PRO stacks up against other gear you already own or are considering? The Gear Index lets you compare speed, spin, and control ratings across hundreds of rubbers, blades, and training tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PongBot announce about Zhang Jike?
At a brand launch event in Shanghai on April 13, 2026, PongBot announced that Grand Slam champion Zhang Jike had joined the company as its global brand ambassador, alongside the launch of the OMNI PRO training robot and a limited Zhang Jike commemorative edition.
What is PongBot?
PongBot is a sports technology company, incubated out of Shanghai University of Sport, that builds table tennis training robots along with software for intelligent coaching, virtual training partners, AI refereeing, and match analytics.
What can the PongBot OMNI PRO robot do?
The OMNI PRO feeds balls at speeds up to 15 meters per second with spin rates up to 100 revolutions per second, switches between short and long balls in as little as 0.66 seconds, and ships with hundreds of pre-programmed drills alongside a fully custom drill builder in the PongBot app.
Why does Zhang Jike's endorsement matter for table tennis robots?
Zhang Jike is one of only two men to complete a career Grand Slam, and his backing signals that Chinese table tennis training technology is increasingly being positioned as a serious tool for competitive players, not just a hobbyist gadget.