Back in 2015, the two-person studio Metanet released N++, a brutally hard 2D platformer that was a decade in the making, building off of previous releases dating back to the freeware Flash title N. At the time, cofounder Raigan Burns issued some famous last words: “We hope it’s not another 10 years before we come up with a game.” But now here we are, more than a decade later, and N is getting another sequel. And this time the focus is on multiplayer.
Technology
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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The new game is called, absurdly, N Plus Infinity Times Two. Whereas N++ was meant to be the ultimate single-player version of the N concept, this game is described as “the ultimate virtual couch party game with a low skill floor and no skill ceiling.” That means the same slick, acrobatic platforming action and gorgeous graphic design-inspired visuals, but now built around playing competitively or cooperatively with pals across a handful of different modes. It’s launching on the PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, and PC at some point in 2027.
The duo at Metanet was up to a few different things over the last 11 years. In addition to uprooting from Toronto to Montreal, they’ve been prototyping ideas for a few potentially bigger projects, and last year released a 10-year anniversary update for N++. But then, “We started getting the ‘let’s take another crack at it’ bug in 2022,” Burns tells The Verge.
The studio operates in an unusual way, at least compared to most of the game industry. Despite having two hits in N+ and N++, Metanet hasn’t grown or scaled up in any way. And the reason comes down to the way they make games: It simply takes a lot of time to find a game idea that’s worth pursuing as a commercial project. “We’ve resisted doing something that would compromise our ability to keep iterating and prototyping until something good shows up,” says Burns.
“It’s important to feel that magic,” cofounder Mare Sheppard adds. “That’s what’s compelling about making games. That’s when we know that we’re doing it in a way that’s right for us.” Burns has a clear analogy for how they work: “We like being in a band. That’s fun. Being in a lot of meetings and doing a lot of managing: not fun.” This philosophy seems especially prescient given the state of the games industry, where even the biggest hits operate in a way that’s clearly unsustainable.
“We like being in a band. That’s fun. Being in a lot of meetings and doing a lot of managing: not fun.”
In the case of N Plus Infinity Times Two — unfortunately I can’t think of a good way to shorten that title — the spark came in part from watching how younger players interact with games. Even when they’re playing solo, kids are typically still chatting with friends on their phones, essentially turning everything into a multiplayer experience. Burns and Sheppard wanted to find a way to marry that idea with the couch co-op experiences they grew up on, which led to revisiting the N concept but with a multiplayer spin.
The two describe making N++ as a grueling experience. If you think the game’s levels are hard, just imagine having to playtest them over and over. Part of the excitement about N Plus Infinity Times Two wasn’t just finding a spin on the formula that would be fun to play, but also to develop. “This one really feels like we’re having fun,” says Burns. “We’re really fluent in this one instrument. So now the fun challenge becomes playing new styles of music we’ve never played before, but with this thing we’re really comfortable with.”
Image: Metanet Software
As creative industries from games to Hollywood become increasingly homogenous, Burns also believes that there’s something important about doing work that’s distinct, even if it means revisiting a previous idea, like through the multiple versions of N. It’s similar to titles like Hades II and Silksong: indie-developed sequels that iterated a core concept, but with a fresh angle that made them more than a by-the-numbers follow-up. “Being yourself is more fun and exciting anyways,” Burns explains. “But I honestly think it’s more commercially viable to do something only you can do, because then you have no competition.”
As for what’s next after N Plus Infinity Times Two, the pair obviously aren’t revealing anything just yet. There are a few bigger 3D game ideas kicking around, but those would necessitate some of that scaling up that the studio has so far avoided. What they won’t close the door on, however, is coming back to the idea of N again at some point in the future.
“If we can do something that expresses something new, or lets us see things in a different way, or we get a different perspective on what this game is or how to play it, that’s exciting,” says Sheppard. “I think we no longer think this is definitively going to be the last one. We’ve abandoned that idea. It doesn’t have to be.”
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Space changes the rules for almost everything, including how a robot should move. On Earth, legs help us stand, balance and walk across a room. In microgravity, those same legs lose much of their purpose.
That is why Orbit Robotics, an academic spinout from ETH Zurich, took a different approach with Helios. The robot was built with four arms so it can grip, brace and work inside a spacecraft. Two arms can hold on while the other two handle tools, cargo and equipment.
It is a smart design for a place where floating is easy and staying steady is the real challenge. Here is how Helios works and why it could change the way astronauts get help in orbit.
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IS THIS SPACE CAPSULE HOW WE WILL LIVE AND WORK IN ORBIT IN THE FUTURE?
Helios uses two arms to anchor itself while the other two move cargo, tools and equipment inside a spacecraft. (Orbit Robotics)
Why the Helios space robot has four arms
Helios uses two pairs of arms with different jobs. One pair can anchor the robot to interior surfaces. The other pair can handle tools, unload cargo, move equipment or perform other work inside a spacecraft.
That setup is important because stability and work need to happen at the same time in orbit. A floating robot cannot casually plant its feet, bend over and pick something up. It needs to hold on while it works.
That is where Helios makes sense. Two arms can keep it steady while the other two get the job done. In microgravity, legs become extra hardware unless they can grip, brace or manipulate objects. Helios skips that problem by turning the whole body into a tool for movement and work.
How this four-armed space robot works
Orbit Robotics says Helios uses a tendon-driven system. Instead of placing motors at every joint, the robot keeps many of those motors closer to the shoulders. Cables and pulleys then transmit force through the arms.
That design can reduce weight at the ends of the limbs. In space, heavy limbs can create awkward movement. A robot also needs control, especially when it is holding cargo or tools near expensive equipment.
Helios also uses a rolling-contact elbow joint. That may sound like a tiny detail. In orbit, it can make a big difference. A sudden jerk could destabilize the robot. It could also send whatever the robot is carrying drifting across a spacecraft. Smooth movement becomes a safety feature.
How IKARUS helped shape Helios
Before Helios, the team built an earlier robot platform called IKARUS. That project helped test ideas such as teleoperation, imitation learning and dual-arm manipulation. In other words, IKARUS gave the team a way to learn how a robot could move, copy tasks and handle objects in a space-like setting.
Those lessons helped shape Helios. That is important because space hardware rarely gets a second chance. A robot designed for orbit has to be reliable, compact and useful in cramped conditions. It also has to behave predictably around humans. Helios builds on that earlier work with a body that better fits the environment.
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Why astronauts need robotic help in orbit
Orbit Robotics says its mission is to free astronauts, not replace them. That sounds reassuring. It also makes practical sense. Astronauts are highly trained people doing some of the most expensive labor imaginable. Yet a major chunk of crew time aboard the International Space Station goes toward maintenance.
Some estimates put maintenance at roughly 35% of crew time. At an estimated $140,000 per astronaut-hour, basic logistics can become shockingly expensive. That means sorting supplies, moving equipment or handling routine work can carry a huge price tag. Helios does not need to be a genius to help. It needs to move through narrow corridors, stay stable without gravity and manipulate objects with care. That is the point of the design.
Orbit Robotics built Helios with four arms so it can grip, brace and handle tools inside spacecraft in microgravity. (Orbit Robotics)
What Helios could do in space
The first job for Helios appears focused on interior spacecraft work. That could include unloading cargo, helping manage supplies, moving gear and assisting with routine maintenance. Those jobs may sound boring. In orbit, boring tasks still take time, training and attention.
Over time, Orbit Robotics sees a broader role for robots like Helios. That could include satellite servicing. It could also include in-space construction as commercial stations and orbital habitats become more common.
If launch costs keep falling, more equipment will head into orbit. More hardware means more maintenance. More stations mean more logistics. That creates a clear opening for robots like Helios, built for space from the start.
Why robots may take on more space work
Human spaceflight still captures the imagination. It always has. However, the human body has serious limits in space. Astronauts can face radiation exposure, bone loss, vision problems and cognitive effects linked to fluid shifts in the brain.
Those risks grow during longer missions. Robots do not need air, food, sleep or radiation protection in the same way humans do. They can also take risks that would be unacceptable for astronauts.
That does not make astronauts obsolete overnight. Still, it changes the conversation. If machines can handle more work in orbit, humans may spend less time on routine tasks and more time on science. That could mean more attention on research tied to aging, cancer treatments, organ bioprinting and other experiments that benefit from microgravity.
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Could space robots build the next space economy?
If commercial space stations grow, they will need constant care. Cargo will need to be sorted. Equipment will need to be moved. Structures may need inspection or repair. Satellites may need servicing. Future habitats may need robots that can assemble, maintain and adapt.
That is where a machine like Helios becomes more than a cool prototype. It could become part of the labor force that keeps space infrastructure running.
The big question is whether humans remain at the center of that work or move into a more selective role. We may still send astronauts into orbit, but their jobs could change dramatically.
Instead of doing every task by hand, they may supervise robots built for a place where the human body struggles.
The four-armed Helios robot was designed for zero gravity, where legs are less useful than gripping and bracing. (Orbit Robotics)
What Helios could mean for future space robots
Engineers are starting to design machines for specific environments instead of forcing them into human-shaped bodies. That shift could affect more than space exploration.
On Earth, robots already work in warehouses, factories, hospitals and disaster zones. In each case, the best design may not look human. It may look strange, specialized and a little unsettling.
Helios shows why that can be a good thing. A robot built for its environment can work more efficiently. It can also take on risky jobs and help humans focus on work that needs judgment, creativity or science training.
For space, that could mean safer missions. It could also mean fewer astronauts spending precious hours on routine maintenance.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Helios stands out because it was built for the place it is meant to work. In orbit, walking offers very little help. Gripping, bracing and handling equipment become much more important. That is what makes the four-armed design so practical. It gives the robot a way to hold on while it works, which is exactly what astronauts need in microgravity. Orbit Robotics says Helios is meant to help astronauts, not replace them. Still, this robot raises a bigger question. As machines grow more capable, they could take on more of the risky and repetitive work beyond Earth. That could give astronauts more time for science, discovery and decisions that need human judgment. It could also change how we think about sending people into space in the first place.
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Would you rather see astronauts doing the work in orbit, or robots taking over the risky stuff? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Whether you’re considering starting a Sonos speaker setup, or adding to an existing group, the Sonos Era 100 is worth picking up. The compact, capable smart speaker is currently marked down to $189 ($30 off) at a variety of retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, and directly from Sonos. If you want an even lower price, Sonos is selling refurbished Era 100 speakers for just $134. They come with fresh accessories and packaging, and sport the same one-year warranty as its new speakers.
The wireless speaker has a rich, detailed sound profile, with room-filling audio despite its small size. You might be able to improve the sound further with the Sonos Trueplay feature, which uses either your phone or the speaker’s built-in microphone to automatically tune it to your space. The Era 100 can easily connect with other speakers in the Sonos ecosystem for multi-room play, even with different Sonos models.
The Era 100 has expanded functionality from previous entry-level Sonos speakers, adding in Bluetooth and USB-C wired audio, as well as improved onboard controls. While the speaker features built-in voice assistant support for both Sonos and Alexa, you can flip a switch on its back to cut power to the microphone.
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