Meet the Proton
The smartest, smallest, high performance ball machine on the planet.
Proudly designed and assembled in California
Watch the video above to see what we mean.
"You nailed it!"
- Seth S.
"Thanks again for this ball machine. I'm addicted."
- Sergei K.
"Love the product. It's the best thing I've seen in tennis period."
- Spencer N.
"Just got mine, and I'm blown away!"
- Benjamin C.
"Absolutely LOVE the Proton!"
- Michael M.
"The best ball machine I have ever used. Customizable and portable. Superb battery life."
- Edward P.
"I am blown away by this machine! I love it!! Mom loves it!!!"
- Diana D.
"10 out of 10!!"
- Tim L.
"I have been using my Proton and cannot tell you how much I love it. It functions great, has challenging ball play, and it's so easy to program and carry."
- Michael T.
The ultimate portable practice machine
The tennis ball machine has hardly changed since the 1980s. With lead-acid (car) batteries, heavy motors and antiquated controls, “portable" machines are anything but. Using the latest in rare-earth brushless motors, lithium-ion batteries, precision motion control and smart-phone technology, Hydrogen Sports has cut the weight and size to less than half, while improving performance and introducing an incredibly easy-to-use interface.
Simple yet powerful
The Proton is far and away the smartest machine on the market. Simply tap the screen where you want the ball to go, choose a speed and spin, and our proprietary algorithms figure out the rest. Internal sensors and precision actuators ensure that every shot is delivered on target.
The Proton vs the competition
| Proton | Lobster Elite Grand V LE |
Sports Tutor Shotmaker Mini |
PlayMate iGenie |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (Volume) |
15”x17”x9” (2300 in3) |
29”x21”x15.5” (9400 in3) |
22”x26”x17” (9700 in3) |
27”x21”x37” (21000 in3) |
| Weight (with battery) |
20 lbs | 62 lbs | 109 lbs | |
| Max ball speed (measured) |
70 mph | 70 mph | 65 mph | 82 mph |
| Max spin (measured) |
3000 rpm | 3000 rpm | 2200 rpm | 1600 rpm |
| Ball capacity | 100 | 150 | 150 | 300 |
| Quick swap battery | free | $99 | $50 | AC Only |
| Remote Control | free (iPhone app) |
$300 (iPhone app) |
$400 (16 button) |
$995 (iPhone app) |
| Active braking | yes | no | no | no |
| MSRP | $1695 | $2699 | $3395 | $7395 |
And much more
Quick start
If you just want to get practicing right away, try the quick start mode. With our precision motion control, calibration is rarely needed, so your first ball is ready to play. Select from beginner, intermediate and advanced and get a rally-ready sequence with just a touch.
Coach mode
Instructors can work next to their students and feed balls one shot at a time - any shot, right away. We load each ball into a pre-shot chamber, where it is detected by an optical sensor. So the next ball is ready when you are. The sensor also knows when the hopper is empty so it can shut down and save power.
Built-in practice routines
Use any one of our 10 pre-made practice routines for basic rallying, cardio workouts, or specific drills such as approach and volley. Add your own for virtually unlimited training capability.
Quick-change battery
A lightweight, quick swap lithium ion battery pack is another performance key. Shoot 1000 balls on a single charge, and quickly swap in a fresh battery if you need even more.
Integrated Apple Watch Control
Your Apple Watch can connect directly to the Proton and control any of the built in programs or custom ones that you have created on your phone.
Digital control panel
The smart phone interface lets you get the most out of the machine, but if that’s not your thing, the Proton can be controlled like a conventional machine with a digital input knob to set speed, spin, altitude, width for a 2-line drill and delay, all displayed with highly visible LEDs and computer controlled to the exact values.
Shot Indicator
A high-brightness LED lets you know when the next ball is coming, so you are ready to crush it! It’s easily visible across the court, even in bright sunlight, and will also tell you when the machine is out of balls.
Compact hopper
The Origami-like ball hopper collapses for easy storage, but unfolds to hold up to 100 balls.
Removable strap
The Proton weighs less than 20 lbs (9 kg) so a simple strap to carry it is all you need. This one functions as both a shoulder strap and a handle, and is easily removed when shooting balls.
Our Story
After several years refining prototypes in a garage workshop, Hydrogen Sports was founded in 2018. We shipped our first machines at the start of 2020, and have since assembled and shipped thousands more from our factory in Santa Clara, California.
The Proton was designed by the company founder, Jonah Harley. He is an avid tennis player, and spent nearly a decade at Apple leading engineering teams in computer input devices and haptics. He has degrees from Stanford, UC Berkeley and Caltech, over 50 granted patents, and is the inventor of the Apple Pencil.