Technology

Baseball is changing forever with robot ump challenges

Published

1 hour ago

March 28, 2026

Baseball is changing forever with robot ump challenges

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For generations, baseball has followed a simple rule. The umpire calls balls and strikes, and that call stands. That changes now. This season, Major League Baseball is introducing something that once felt unthinkable. Players can challenge an umpire’s call and let technology decide the outcome.

It is called the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System, or ABS. Most fans already know it by another name. The robot ump. And whether you love it or hate it, the game is stepping into a new era.

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YANKEES SHORTSTOP JOSÉ CABALLERO MAKES MLB HISTORY, BECOMES FIRST PLAYER TO USE AUTOMATED BALL-STRIKE SYSTEM

Replay of an automated ball-strike challenge appears on the videoboard during an AAA MiLB game between the Buffalo Bisons and Worcester Red Sox at Polar Park in Worcester, Mass., on May 5, 2023. (Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

What is the MLB robot ump challenge system?

At a basic level, ABS uses advanced cameras to track every pitch with precision. It creates a digital strike zone that removes guesswork. But MLB is not handing full control to machines just yet.

Instead, this is a hybrid system. Human umpires still make every call on the field. Players now have a limited way to challenge those calls when they believe something was missed. So the umpire still runs the game. Technology simply keeps them honest.

How the robot ump actually sees every pitch

The system uses a network of high-speed cameras placed around the stadium to track the baseball in three dimensions. It measures the pitch as it crosses home plate and compares it to a digital strike zone that is customized to each batter’s height.

All of that happens in milliseconds. The result is sent almost instantly to the scoreboard, which is why the challenge feels fast and seamless instead of disruptive.

Scott Jacka, Sr. Director of Technology Development Strategy at T-Mobile, told CyberGuy:

“T-Mobile’s private 5G network enables the real-time transmission of pitch data to the ABS operator during ABS challenges. As pitches are tracked by cameras around the field, that data is transmitted quickly and reliably to the ABS system operator in the press box, who can then deliver the results back to the field within seconds.”

Jacka added:

“ABS depends on fast, reliable data transmission in a live game environment. T-Mobile’s private 5G network is designed to provide secure, low-latency connectivity through a dedicated spectrum in every U.S. MLB stadium. This helps pitch data move quickly and consistently so decisions can be delivered without disrupting the rhythm of play.”

How the challenge system works during a game

The process is surprisingly simple and fast. Each team starts with two challenges per game. Only the pitcher, catcher or batter can call for one. No dugout help. No replay delays.

The player signals by tapping their head. Within seconds, the stadium screen shows the pitch location and whether it was truly a ball or a strike. If the challenge is correct, the team keeps it. If not, they lose one.

That quick moment has already become one of the most intense parts of the game. Teams may also receive additional challenges in extra innings, giving them a bit more flexibility in longer games.

What happens if the tech gets it wrong

One big concern with any new system is reliability. MLB designed ABS to deliver results almost instantly, without slowing down the game.

If anything ever goes wrong, the human umpire is still there as the final authority. That built-in fallback helps ensure the game keeps moving smoothly without long delays or confusion.

Who is powering the robot ump tech?

The system behind MLB’s robot ump is powered by Hawk-Eye Innovations, the same camera tracking technology used in tennis and soccer for line calls and goal decisions. That alone gives the system a proven track record for accuracy.

MLB UMPIRE CAUGHT ON HOT MIC BEGGING PITCH TO ‘PLEASE BE A STRIKE’ AFTER CATCHER ISSUES ABS CHALLENGE

T-Mobile supports the infrastructure behind the scenes, helping deliver results quickly to stadium displays and broadcast feeds.

Why MLB decided now was the time

Bad ball and strike calls have always been part of baseball. Sometimes they even become part of the story. But fans, players and teams have grown less patient with mistakes that technology can easily fix. MLB sees this system as a way to clean up the most frustrating part of the game without removing the human element entirely.

It is not about perfection. It is about fairness in the biggest moments.

Why fans might end up loving it

You might expect this to slow things down. It does the opposite. Every challenge creates a moment. The crowd pauses. The screen lights up. Everyone waits for the answer.

It adds tension without dragging out the game. Even better, it removes the endless arguing. Instead of debating calls for hours, fans get a clear answer almost instantly. It turns controversy into drama.

Players can challenge a call instantly, triggering a real-time ABS review on the stadium screen. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Why timing and emotions matter more than ever

One of the biggest lessons from early testing is that when you challenge matters more than what you challenge. Players who use challenges too early may regret it later in high-pressure moments.

There is also a human factor. Players admit emotions can get the best of them, leading to impulsive challenges that cost their team later in the game.

Some pitches are harder to judge than others

Not every pitch is easy to challenge. High-velocity pitches and those with heavy movement, like sinkers, can be extremely difficult to judge in real time.

Even experienced players can misread a pitch by inches, which makes deciding whether to challenge even more difficult.

How MLB players feel about robot umps

This is where things get interesting. Hitters with elite plate discipline could gain an edge. Players like Juan Soto are known for recognizing the strike zone better than almost anyone. That skill now has real strategic value.

Catchers face a different reality. Pitch framing has long been one of the most valuable defensive skills in baseball, where catchers subtly position their glove to make pitches look like strikes to the umpire. With ABS, framing is not disappearing. Instead, it is evolving into a more strategic tool while still influencing live calls from the human umpire.

Pitchers are the least likely to use the system. Many do not believe they have the best view of the strike zone in real time. Veterans like Max Scherzer have also raised a bigger question. How much technology should be allowed to shape the game? That debate is far from settled.

The hidden data boom behind robot umps

Beyond making calls, ABS is generating a massive amount of data. Teams can now analyze pitch accuracy, player tendencies and challenge success rates in real time.

This opens the door to deeper analytics, from evaluating hitters’ strike zone awareness to measuring how effective catchers are at identifying missed calls. Over time, this data could influence coaching decisions and even player value.

Could this lead to full robot umps?

That question is already on the table. MLB has tested fully automated strike zones in the minor leagues. Other sports like tennis have already moved in that direction.

But baseball is different. Many players and fans still want a human behind the plate. They believe the personality, judgment and even the imperfections are part of what makes the game special.

Right now, the challenge system feels like a middle ground. It fixes the worst mistakes while keeping the human touch.

BASEBALL HALL OF FAME PITCHER GOES IN DEPTH HOW ABS SYSTEM WILL IMPROVE OFFENSE, HOW ARMS HAVE TO ADJUST

What this means to you

If you watch baseball, you will notice the difference right away. Games could feel fairer. Big moments are less likely to hinge on a missed call. You will also see more strategy. Players must decide when to challenge and when to hold back. One wrong decision could matter later in the game.

Teams are already treating challenges like a limited resource, often saving them for the most important moments late in the game. If you are a casual fan, this may actually make baseball easier to follow. The strike zone becomes visible and understandable in real time. In short, the game becomes more transparent, more strategic and more engaging.

The ABS system tracks each pitch in real time and shows exactly where the ball crossed the strike zone. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Baseball has never stood still. From instant replay to pitch clocks, the game keeps evolving while trying to protect what makes it unique. The robot ump challenge system fits that pattern. It does not replace umpires. It simply gives players a voice when something looks wrong. And in a sport built on inches, that voice could change everything.

If technology can get every call right, would you trust it more than the human behind the plate? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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Technology

Suno leans into customization with v5.5

Published

58 minutes ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Suno just released one of its biggest updates yet with v5.5 of its AI music model. Where previous updates focused mostly on improving fidelity and creating more natural vocals, v5.5 is about giving users more control. It includes three new features: Voices, My Taste, and Custom Models.

In the release notes, Suno says that Voices is its most requested feature. It lets users train the vocal model on their own voice. They can upload clean accapellas, finished tracks with backing music, or just sing directly into the mic on their phone or laptop. The cleaner and higher quality the recording, the less data is required. And to prevent someone from simply stealing another person’s voice, Suno requires the user to also speak a verification phrase. Though, this might be possible to fool with existing AI models of celebrity voices.

Once the Voices feature is trained, users can then have an AI version of themselves sing on uploaded music or AI-generated outputs.

To further personalize outputs, Custom Models allows users to train Suno on their own music. Users will need to upload at least six tracks from their catalog and give the custom model a name. Then they’ll be able to use it to guide v5.5 responses to prompts.

Lastly, My Taste learns tastes and preferences over time. What genres, moods, and artists you routinely come back to for prompts, and applies them when using the magic wand to autogenerate styles.

While My Taste will be available to all users, Voices and Custom Models are reserved for Pro and Premier subscribers.

Technology

Bluetti’s Sora 500 solar panel is incredibly powerful for its size

Published

13 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

Bluetti’s Sora 500 solar panel is incredibly powerful for its size

We don’t review many solar panels at The Verge, but the tech inside Bluetti’s incredibly portable Sora 500 panel makes it worth a deeper look. The new N-Type panels made by Bluetti and others give you more bang for the buck, pound, and square inch. That’s a big deal for vanlifers like me who depend upon these beefy portable solar panels to extend off-grid stays.

In real-world testing, I saw Bluetti’s 500W panel deliver 509W to my van’s power station, allowing me to generate over 800W when combined with the three sad 140W monocrystalline solar panels I have installed on top of my van. That kind of stationary output is fantastic. I typically consume about 1.6kWh a day, so this array lets me add a full day’s worth of charge in only two hours. I just wish that Bluetti had made the Sora 500 bifacial like Jackery and newcomer Zoupw did with their even lighter, high-wattage, portable, N-Type panels designed to maximize output in less than ideal conditions.

The Sora 500 is priced at €849 in Europe — it isn’t being sold in the US yet. Bluetti spokesperson Ellen Lee tells me that the company wants to bring it to the US market but it’s “currently navigating some shifting regional policies and trade dynamics.” Things that Zoupw and Jackery managed to sort out already.

$984

The Good

Incredibly compact when folded
Good performance in partial shade
Exceeded rated output
Efficient N-Type TOPCon cells

The Bad

Heavy compared to competitors
Single-sided (not bifacial)
Tedious to unfold/pack
Not yet available in the US

Bluetti’s single-sided Sora 500 panel uses TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) cells, an N-Type technology which is replacing older PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) tech. Compared to PERC, TOPCon panels do better in low-light, deal with high temperatures better, and degrade more slowly. TOPCon panels can achieve higher efficiencies (often ~23–25 percent) compared to typical PERC panels (~20–23 percent), depending on implementation.

The Sora 500 does well in shading tests, but partially shading the center four panels creates the most chaos, dropping from over 500W of output to just 50W.

The output from the Sora 500, plugged into the LV (low voltage) solar input of a EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 solar generator, dropped to just 50W when shading the four center panels. You can see my roof-top panels producing 302W on the HV input.

The Sora 500 did much better when I shaded other panel combinations, including the four just right of center.

Blocking the four panels right of center dropped output from over 500W to 276W.

All these advantages mean that you’ll get more for your money, as soon as you unfurl all 12 panels of the Sora 500 and over their extended lifetime. The panel also features an IP67 resistance to dust and water and an ETFE coating that makes it easier to wipe away dirt that interferes with solar intake.

Lightweight portables are no match for gusts of wind, this one was about 10 – 12 knots.

In my mid-March testing in the south of France at an altitude of about 600 meters, I was regularly seeing the Sora 500 delivering above its rated output, measuring as much as 509W on a cool and cloudless day. It also does a good job of handling the sun being partially shaded.

For example, on a very sunny day when the 12 individual panels that comprise the Sora 500 were producing over 500W, the output dropped to 412W when partially shading one corner panel, and 390W when partially shading the right-most two. Partially shading the four panels just to the right of center dropped the output to 276W.

The output from the Sora 500 dropped dramatically when I blocked the center four panels, falling to just 50W. That’s likely because I choked off the entire array by severing the connection between all four parallel zones. Bluetti uses a half-cut cell design and a 3-series, 4-parallel (3S4P) circuit architecture for the Sora 500. This results in multiple independent power zones by dividing the cells into smaller halves and distributing them across four parallel power paths. It helps to prevent a single shaded area from becoming a bottleneck for the entire panel, like you see with cheaper panels.

Unfortunately, Bluetti chose to cover the back of its panels with fabric and a complex system of kickstands and straps. By comparison, the Zoupw 480W and Jackery SolarSage 500 X N-Type panels are bifacial, meaning they can also collect ambient light from the back of the panels when placed on reflective surfaces like snow, sand, concrete, and, to a lesser extent, grass.

I haven’t tested these panels myself, but I’ve seen unconfirmed user reports claiming to have pushed the Zoupw beyond 525W of output. Importantly, both panels also weigh just 22lb (10kg), making them even lighter than the 28.4lb (12.9kg) Bluetti Sora 500.

Solar Panel	Base Power	Weight	Unfolded Area (sq in)	Watts per lb	Watts per sq in
Bluetti SORA 500	500W	28.40 lbs	~4,510 sq in (100.0” x 45.1”)	17.61 W/lb	0.110 W/sq in
Jackery SolarSaga 500 X	500W	22.05 lbs	~3,848 sq in (98.1” x 39.2”)	22.68 W/lb	0.130 W/sq in
Zoupw 480W	480W	22.49 lbs	~4,512 sq in (138.6” x 32.6”)	21.34 W/lb	0.106 W/sq in

On paper, the Jackery panel is the output king in terms of Watts per pound and unfolded Watts per square inch.

And while weight is an important enabler of portability, I should note that these things tend to fly away when the wind picks up. Fortunately, the Bluetti panel I’ve been testing has tie-down points for gusty days. All three panels are much lighter than the reliable 400W PERC monster from EcoFlow that I’ve been hauling around for the last four years. It weighs 35.3lbs (16kg) and is still available to buy for $599.

For vanlifers, the Bluetti Sora 500 absolutely dominates when it comes time to pack the panel away into an RV, van, or closet. The Zoupw and Jackery use standard 4-section or 6-section “slab” folds, while Bluetti uses a 12-section grid fold, allowing it to collapse into a much smaller, briefcase-like package. Even then, the 3.3-inch thick folded Bluetti is thinner than both the 3.35-inch thick Zoupw panel and 3.82-inch Jackery.

Solar Panel	Base Power	Folded Dimensions (L × W)	Folded Area (sq in)	Watts per Folded sq in
Bluetti SORA 500	500W	22.4” × 17.5”	392 sq in	1.28 W/sq in
Jackery SolarSaga 500 X	500W	39.2” × 20.7”	812 sq in	0.62 W/sq in
Zoupw 480W	480W	34.7” × 32.6”	1,131 sq in	0.42 W/sq in

The Sora 500 delivers a ton of output for a panel that folds down so small, working out to 1.28 Watts per square inch.

Conversely, the Sora 500 can be a pain in the ass to set up due to all the hinges and straps needed to support so many segments. It’s a puzzle I managed to mostly master after the third installation, but repositioning the panel to follow the sun throughout the day is a lesson in patience.

1/8

The Sora 500 folds down incredibly small.

Without official US pricing for the Sora 500 panel, it’s hard to do a direct price-per-watt comparison with the $649.99 Zoupw 480W and $999 (often on sale for $799) Jackery SolarSage 500 X. However, if we strip the European VAT from its €849 price tag and convert it, the Sora 500 works out to about $820. While that’s competitive, it still leaves the Zoupw 480W with the best price-per-watt performance in this class.

Bluetti’s Sora 500 can’t compete with the Zoupw 480W and Jackery SolarSage 500 X in terms of weight, but it wins handily in terms of Watts per square inch when folded down. It’s the only 500W panel that effectively disappears into a small closet or under a van bench. As such, it justifies its price premium for anyone like me who has limited space to store an extra solar panel they only need to deploy occasionally.

Unfolded: 100 × 45.1 × 0.1 in / 2541 × 1146.6 × 3 mm
Folded: 22.4 × 17.5 × 3.3 in / 570 × 445 × 85 mm
Weight: 28.4 lbs / 12.9 kg
Panels: 12x TOPCon
Conversion Efficiency: up to 25 percent
Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):40.92V
Current at Pmax (Imp): 12.22A
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 49.1V
Short Circuit Current (Isc): 13.31A
Operating Temperature: -13°F to 149°F / -25°C to 65°C
Best Working Temperature: 77°F / 25°C
1.5m MC4 to XT60 cable included in box

Photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge

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Thomas Ricker

Technology

Too loud? Ticket’s in the mail

Published

14 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Press Room

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

You already know about speed cameras. Red light cameras. Toll cameras that photograph your plate and bill you later.

Now meet their cousin. Noise cameras are the newest automated enforcement technology spreading through American cities. A pole-mounted device contains sensitive microphones paired with a license plate camera.

IF SOMEONE GETS INTO YOUR EMAIL, THEY OWN EVERY ACCOUNT YOU HAVE. THESE 3 MOVES LOCK THEM OUT FOR GOOD

Your car drives past. If your exhaust tips over the legal decibel limit, a ticket arrives in your mailbox days later. No warning. No officer pulling you over. No flashing lights in your rearview mirror. Just a microphone that never blinks, never takes a break and never misses a shift.

Silence of the Lambos

New York City has been running these since 2021. The cameras have issued more than 1,600 violations and collected nearly $2 million in fines. Get caught once, and you’re looking at $800. Get caught repeatedly, and the fine climbs to $2,500.

New York City implemented noise cameras and has been using the technology since 2021. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

Newport, Rhode Island, put two cameras on scenic Ocean Avenue. Within days, a Mustang GT got nailed at 85 decibels. Two decibels over the limit. $250 fine. Providence approved $180,000 to add cameras in 2026. Connecticut passed statewide legislation.

California has six cities running a five-year pilot program with fines up to $1,105. Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia, Sacramento and Washington, D.C., are all deploying or testing. Colorado, New Jersey and Hawaii have introduced similar legislation. This is not a local story anymore. It’s a national one moving fast, and most drivers have absolutely no idea it’s coming for them.

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Here’s how the technology actually works.

The microphone detects sound above the legal threshold, typically between 75 and 95 decibels depending on the city. To put that in plain English, a normal conversation runs about 60 decibels. A lawnmower hits around 90. Most cities are drawing the line somewhere in between. The camera cross-references the sound spike with the exact moment a vehicle passes, photographs the plate, and generates the ticket automatically. No officer involved. No human review in most cases. Just math, a microphone and a camera pointed at your plate.

Too loud and furious

When I’m in my Porsche and flip into manual mode, rowing through the gears with that beautiful exhaust note singing, I’m not doing the math on that out loud. Let’s just say I’m watching the camera location maps very carefully. You probably should too.

If your car reaches a certain decibal above the “legal threshold,” the microphone in the camera can detect the sound and cross references with the moment a vehicle passes. (Utah Department of Transportation)

Here’s what should concern drivers with completely stock vehicles. That Mustang GT wasn’t a tuned track car. It’s a car you buy at a dealership. Two decibels over the limit. $250 gone. Motorcycles are even more exposed. A stock Harley-Davidson idles around 75 decibels and can hit 90 under acceleration. Well inside the danger zone in several cities already running cameras. You don’t need a modified exhaust to get a ticket. You just need bad timing.

AI is being used to pinpoint which specific vehicle in a group triggered the alert. Not just the loudest car in the frame. Your car. The tech is getting smarter every single month.

DRONE FOOD DELIVERY LAUNCHES IN NEW JERSEY

Roar and peace

There are two valid sides here.

If someone with a straight-pipe exhaust does a flyby past your bedroom at midnight, you’re probably delighted they got caught. Noise pollution is a real health issue linked to sleep disorders, elevated blood pressure and anxiety. Cities have tried everything and nothing worked at scale until now.

An undated file photo of rush hour traffic in Manhattan, New York City, New York. (iStock)

But this is also another layer of always-on surveillance that never forgets and never gives you the benefit of the doubt. Critics have raised legitimate questions about whether cameras get placed disproportionately in lower-income neighborhoods, turning a public health tool into a revenue machine aimed at the wrong zip codes. Fair questions worth asking out loud.

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These cameras are spreading faster than most drivers realize. Search your city name plus “noise camera ordinance” to find the exact decibel limits where you live. Know the number before the camera does.

Send this to someone who is a car enthusiast, a motorcycle rider or anyone with a loud vehicle. Forward this before they find out the hard way. Consider it your good deed for the week.