To simplify it down to being 3D printed and driven/positioned by a computer should indeed be straightforward. It looks like a lot of the mechanical complexity is there for lack of a digital computer.
A couple of servos, one to roll, one to pitch the ball and then a lot of quaternion math on the Pi should get you there.
A couple of servos, one to roll, one to pitch the ball and then a lot of quaternion math on the Pi should get you there.