After years of anticipation, Ballie, Samsung’s charming home robot, is officially rolling out this summer. I’ve been following Ballie’s journey since its first announcement back in 2020, and the latest update confirms that this adorable BB-8-style robot isn’t just a concept anymore—it’s a real product with real-world functionality, now supercharged with Google’s Gemini AI. Here's why that matters, and what you should know if you're thinking about adding this next-gen assistant to your smart home.
Ballie is a ball-shaped home robot equipped with dual wheels, a built-in projector, microphone, and speaker. It’s designed to act as a mobile personal assistant that can navigate your home autonomously, control smart devices, and offer personalized recommendations—all powered by artificial intelligence.
Samsung originally introduced Ballie at CES 2020, but it wasn’t until CES 2025 that we got a closer, more promising look. The robot is now smarter, more practical, and ready for homes—especially for users deep into Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem.
Ballie + Google Gemini: A Powerful AI Duo
One of the most exciting developments is Samsung’s partnership with Google to integrate Gemini, Google’s multimodal generative AI. Combined with Samsung’s own large language models, Ballie can now interpret a wide range of inputs, from voice commands to visual and environmental cues.
Gemini enables Ballie to understand complex requests. For example, if I say “I’m tired,” Ballie could analyze my environment, optimize my lighting and temperature settings, and even suggest wellness routines based on trusted sources. That level of contextual awareness makes Ballie feel more like a helpful companion than a smart device.
Smart Home Control on Wheels
Ballie’s ability to act like a moving smart display changes the game. At CES 2025, I saw demos where Ballie projected information onto walls and let users interact with the display using their feet. Need to know which wine pairs best with your dinner? Ballie can scan your bottles and give you sommelier-level advice—something I’ve never seen in a home assistant before.
Unlike Amazon’s short-lived Astro, Ballie’s blend of mobility and AI-powered smarts makes it genuinely useful, especially for people with larger homes or mobility concerns.
Personalized Style Advice and Wellness Tips
Thanks to its camera and AI capabilities, Ballie can do more than just turn off lights or play music. According to Samsung, it can analyze your clothing choices and offer fashion advice—basically your personal stylist on wheels. And if you're looking to improve your health, Ballie can help monitor sleep patterns, suggest improvements, and guide you with fitness routines. It's like having a lifestyle coach embedded right into your living space.
Can Ballie Succeed Where Others Have Failed?
Home robots have struggled to gain traction unless they serve very specific functions, like cleaning. That’s why Ballie’s success hinges on its ability to become truly useful in daily life. Unlike a stationary smart speaker, Ballie can follow you around, anticipate your needs, and even project videos or information wherever you are in the house.
I believe Ballie’s combination of mobility, AI, and personalization gives it a strong edge—but there are still unanswered questions. One big one? The price.
Competing with Giants: Apple, Meta, and LG
Samsung isn’t alone in the race for the ultimate home robot. Apple is rumored to be developing its own robot, Meta is reportedly working on a humanoid version, and Google has robotics projects in motion. Meanwhile, LG showcased its own Ballie-style bot last year.
Still, Samsung seems to have a head start with Ballie’s summer 2025 release and a functional demo that’s far beyond the concept stage.
After years of waiting, I’m genuinely thrilled to see Samsung finally deliver on its Ballie promise. With powerful generative AI, mobile smart display features, and an emphasis on personalized home automation, Ballie could be the robot assistant we’ve all been waiting for.
That said, I’ll be keeping a close eye on the pricing, performance, and real-world reviews when it hits the market this summer. If Samsung gets it right, Ballie might just roll into homes—and hearts—everywhere.
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