Overview

CUE7 is the seventh generation of Toyota's basketball-playing robot and was unveiled in April 2026. It serves as a test platform for perception, motion control, and AI.

Design

The robot stands approximately 2.18 meters tall and weighs 74 kilograms, significantly less than the 120 kilograms of an earlier version. Instead of walking, it moves via an inverted two-wheel configuration.

Technology and AI

CUE7 combines reinforcement learning with model predictive control. Using Lidar sensors and cameras, it measures distances, calculates angles, and adjusts its shots in real time. This results in high-arc, precise basket shots. Previous models had already set records, including 2020 consecutive free throws in 2020 and a Guinness World Record for a long-distance shot at 24.55 meters.

Market Significance

CUE7 is not a market product, but rather a research platform. The methods tested here for vision, motion control, and robotics are intended to benefit real-world applications in the longer term.