Samsung Ballie robot stole the show at CES 2024 with a complete makeover and a feature set that pushes the boundaries of what a home assistant can do and look like. Let’s delve deeper into what makes this little robot unique, innovative, and valuable.
Ballie’s New Look
The original 2020 Ballie resembled a friendly basketball, a design choice that was a touch whimsical. For 2024, Samsung has opted for a smoother, more contemporary look. Ballie now supports a bright, ball-ish design resembling characters from the popular game Among Us. This new design aesthetic makes Ballie feel less like a toy and more like a sophisticated home assistant robot, an integrated part of your smart home.
Ballie as Your Best Friend at Home
While many smart home assistants excel at controlling lights and thermostats, Ballie aspires to be more than just a disembodied voice. The 2024 version is designed to be a faithful companion, equipped with wheels that allow it to follow you around the house. Imagine Ballie rolling alongside you as you clean, keeping you company and offering helpful reminders or playing music. It can even greet you at the door when you arrive home, adding a touch of personality to your smart home experience.
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The most exciting addition to Ballie’s production model is the built-in projector. This isn’t just about showing you the weather forecast on the wall. Imagine Ballie projecting your workout routine onto the wall before you, complete with real-time form checks. Cooking enthusiasts will appreciate Ballie displaying recipes on the counter. At the same time, they cook or even use their built-in cameras to give you a peek inside your Samsung oven so you can monitor your meal without having to open the door.
Samsung Ballie Robot’s Powerful AI Features
But Ballie isn’t just about rolling around and showing you videos. The true magic lies in its onboard AI, allowing it to connect smoothly and effortlessly with all your smart home devices. Think of it as your central smart home hub on wheels. It can display information from your calendar, show you who’s at the door through your smart doorbell camera, and even control your compatible smart home devices. For instance,
- Pet owners and those who frequently travel will appreciate Ballie’s ability to act as a mobile security camera. You work late and need help getting home to play with your dog. Ballie can project a virtual game of fetch onto the floor using its projector. The built-in cameras can then track your pet’s movements, allowing them to interact with the virtual game and extend the same energy while you’re away. It can even dispense treats through a connected, intelligent treat dispenser as a reward for good play.
- While making a meal plan, Ballie can scan your fridge and pantry through its cameras, identifying items running low. It can then access your preferred online grocery store and create a shopping list based on your needs. With your permission, it could even order the groceries for you, ensuring you have everything you need to prepare your meals.
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The Future of Home Assistants
With its unique features, Ballie represents a giant leap forward in smart home assistant technology. It goes beyond simply controlling lights and thermostats, offering companionship, entertainment options, and the ability to act as a central hub for your smart home devices. Whether the Samsung Ballie robot becomes widespread in our homes remains to be seen. Still, it certainly provides a glimpse into the exciting possibilities that future home robots hold. Samsung has yet to announce pricing or an official release date, but CES 2024 has undoubtedly generated a lot of buzz around this innovative little robot.
