Description P.O.N.G (Playstyle Oriented Novice Gear) is an innovative table tennis training system designed for beginners to discover and refine their playstyle. By offering a modular blade and handle system, P.O.N.G allows users to experiment with 12 unique playstyle combinations, bridging the gap between learning and personalization. The system includes three blade types (Defensive, All-Round, and Offensive) and four handle variations (Straight, Flared, Anatomic, and Penhold), giving users a structured yet customizable experience. Designed to remove the trial-and-error costs associated with purchasing multiple rackets, P.O.N.G provides an intuitive way for players to explore grip comfort, shot precision, and playstyle adaptability. With a seamless attachment mechanism, ergonomic textures, and an integrated learning system through the 7-Stage Combination Comfort Tutorial, P.O.N.G transforms how beginners engage with the sport, creating an accessible and engaging pathway to skill development.
Innovation New players often struggle with navigating equipment, understanding playstyles, and building a strong foundation in table tennis. The overwhelming variety of blades and handles, combined with a lack of structured guidance, can make finding the right setup difficult and hinder long-term progress.
The P.O.N.G System bridges this gap by providing a modular and interactive training experience. Through interchangeable blades and handles, users can explore 12 distinct playstyles, gaining firsthand experience with how different setups affect control, power, and comfort. This hands-on experimentation helps beginners identify the right equipment for their strengths, ensuring they make informed decisions when investing in specialized gear.
Beyond equipment, P.O.N.G serves as a structured learning system, guiding users through progressive training exercises that reinforce fundamental skills. By integrating both hardware customization and guided learning, P.O.N.G not only simplifies the entry point into table tennis but also empowers players to grow with confidence in their technique and equipment choices.
Product Detail P.O.N.G was advanced using NTOP to refine blade and handle textures, ensuring optimized grip, control, and maneuverability. The blade surface replicates traditional pips for enhanced ball contact, while the handle’s interactive texturing provides improved ergonomics. A functional prototype was created using 3D Printing, validating the modular design and interchangeability concept. The ClickLock mechanism, an engineering innovation, ensures a stable yet flexible transition between blades and handles without compromising playability.
After conducting a Manufacturing Assessment, production estimates place the cost to manufacture a unit at $32.54, with a final cost of $104.12 factoring in molds, labor, and profit margins. Compared to purchasing 12 individual rackets—which can cost upwards of $1,000 in today’s market—P.O.N.G offers an accessible, cost-effective solution for beginners.
Specification P.O.N.G features three blade types—Defensive (85g), All-Rounder (95g), and Offensive (105g),each color-coded for quick identification. The four handle designs (Straight, Flared, Anatomic, Penhold) are also color-coded, offering distinct ergonomic grips that impact comfort and control. The ClickLock mechanism, an engineering innovation, ensures secure yet interchangeable blade-handle connections for seamless transitions. P.O.N.G also includes the 7-Stage Combination Comfort Tutorial, a structured training system that helps users understand shot mechanics, grip comfort, and equipment effects through guided drills, playstyle insights, and progressive skill-building challenges, allowing them to develop confidence by testing combinations and identifying what fits best for their gameplay.
Bio Srivats Srinivasan is an industrial designer originally from Hyderabad and now based in Houston. He is focused on creating universal experiences through a systems design approach, bridging past learnings with visions of the future. Driven by curiosity and a relentless pursuit of innovation, Srivats pushes the boundaries of design to shape integrated solutions that redefine how we interact with the world.
