October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Bettesworth Construction
artificial intelligence

Samsung’s Ballie Home Robot Looked Production-Ready. It Still Isn’t a Product

Samsung’s Ballie grew from a CES concept into a projector-equipped AI home robot—but missed its 2025 launch and still has no verified retail release.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 7 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Samsung’s Ballie is not available to buy. The bowling-ball-sized home robot shown at CES 2024 was a genuine Samsung prototype, and the company said it was targeting a 2025 release. Samsung later announced Google Gemini integration and promised availability in the United States and South Korea during summer 2025. That launch never materialised.

As of August 18, 2026, there is no verified retail price, order page, consumer specification sheet or mass-market shipment. Samsung has reportedly described Ballie as an “active innovation platform,” not a released consumer product.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What happened to Samsung Ballie?

Samsung’s Ballie became one of the most recognisable home-robot concepts at CES, but it did not become a verified retail product. The company repeatedly demonstrated Ballie and announced launch plans, yet missed its 2025 release window.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

It is more accurate to describe Ballie as indefinitely delayed, internally redirected or shelved as a consumer launch than to call it definitively cancelled. Samsung has not publicly announced a formal cancellation.

#1 Best Overall
AGIBOT X2 Smart AI Robot Assistant, Intelligent Home Companion with Voice Interaction, Motion Control, HD Camera, Smart Navigation, Rechargeable Educational Robot for Home & Office
  • Advanced AI Smart Interaction:AGIBOT X2 features advanced artificial intelligence technology that enables natural voice interaction, intelligent responses, and adaptive learning to provide a smarter and more engaging user experience
  • Multi-Functional Robot Assistant:Designed for modern living, AGIBOT X2 supports voice commands, motion control, smart navigation, and interactive responses—making it a perfect assistant for home, office, or educational environments
  • High-Definition Camera & Smart Sensors:Equipped with a high-resolution camera and multiple sensors, AGIBOT X2 can recognize surroundings, detect motion, and assist with remote monitoring and interactive tasks
  • Educational & Entertaining Companion:AGIBOT X2 is designed to inspire curiosity and learning. It can help users explore robotics, AI concepts, and smart technology while also providing entertainment and interaction
  • Sleek Design & Rechargeable Battery:Built with a modern, durable design and powered by a long-lasting rechargeable battery, AGIBOT X2 delivers reliable performance and stylish aesthetics suitable for any environment

The original headline—that Ballie was “back, way bigger, and headed to production”—accurately described Samsung’s 2024 direction. It should not be read as evidence that customers could buy the robot.

Ballie’s development: from CES concept to delayed product

Date What happened
January 2020 Samsung introduced Ballie as a small, spherical rolling home companion.
January 2024 Samsung showed a much larger Ballie with wheels, sensors, cameras, speakers and a projector.
January 2025 Samsung continued presenting Ballie as a product planned for release during 2025.
April 9, 2025 Samsung and Google Cloud announced planned Gemini integration and said Ballie would be available in the United States and South Korea “this summer.”
January 2026 The 2025 launch had not happened. Ballie was absent from CES 2026, and reporting said Samsung described it as an “active innovation platform.”
August 18, 2026 No verified consumer launch, price, order page or mass-production availability had emerged.

Samsung’s original CES 2020 announcement presented Ballie as a mobile smart-home companion. It was intended to follow people, recognise activity, control connected appliances and act as a roaming camera or speaker. As with many CES demonstrations, those capabilities described a concept rather than a shipping product.

What changed in the 2024 Ballie?

The CES 2024 version was substantially different from the small, toy-like sphere shown in 2020. Reporting described it as approximately bowling-ball-sized, although Samsung did not publish final production dimensions or weight.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  • A larger body designed as a two-handed object.
  • A three-wheel drive system for movement around the home.
  • A built-in projector aimed at walls or floors.
  • Cameras and other sensors for environmental awareness.
  • A speaker and voice-assistant functions.
  • Integration with smart-home appliances and services.

The larger chassis may have created more room for a battery, projector and electronics, but Samsung did not confirm that as the reason for the redesign. The visible change was clear; the final engineering specification was not.

Samsung’s CES 2024 material showed Ballie moving through a home, responding to users and projecting information. Those were announced capabilities and demonstrations, not independent evidence of everyday reliability, battery life or unsupervised operation.

Rank #2
Anki Vector 2.0 "It Feels Alive Personality and Presence are Unmatched
  • 𝗧𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗶-𝗙𝗶, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮 𝟮.𝟰 𝗚𝗛𝘇 𝗪𝗶-𝗙𝗶 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: 𝟭- Open Google Chrome on your computer & navigate to Vector websetup. 𝟮- Double-click the button on Vector's backpack. Click Pair with Vector on your computer. 𝟯- Select the matching Vector Bluetooth code from the browser pop-up list. 𝟰- Enter the 6-digit PIN shown on Vector’s face screen. A network list will load. 𝟱- Select your local 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Enter your Wi-Fi password & click Connect to Wi-Fi.
  • 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗚𝗣𝗧: Experience a new level of conversation with more natural, intelligent, and meaningful interactions. Powered by ChatGPT, Vector can answer complex questions, engage in richer conversations, and provide more insightful responses. 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗚𝗣𝗧 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗮𝗽𝗽 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲).
  • AI-Powered & Fully Autonomous: Vector navigates, recognizes faces, and reacts to his surroundings with lifelike independence — no remote control required.
  • 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: Vector can now understand multiple languages, making him the perfect smart companion for global households and language learners. Vector can now understand Spanish, French, German, Chinese and more! Say “Hey Vector.”
  • 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮 & 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀:Built with an HD camera and advanced sensors for real-time mapping, facial recognition, and obstacle detection.

What was Ballie supposed to do?

Samsung positioned Ballie as a mobile combination of smart speaker, home-control interface, projector, camera and companion. The announced use cases included:

  • Moving autonomously around a home.
  • Controlling compatible smart-home appliances.
  • Adjusting lighting and other environmental settings.
  • Greeting people at the door.
  • Showing schedules, reminders and other information.
  • Projecting content onto suitable walls or floors.
  • Sending information or directions to a user’s phone.
  • Offering recommendations based on voice, visual and sensor inputs.
  • Providing lifestyle and wellness suggestions.

These functions would have depended on compatible devices, network connectivity, suitable room conditions and dependable navigation. “Autonomous” in a product demonstration does not establish that a robot can operate safely for long periods around stairs, pets, children, rugs, furniture and fragile objects.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What did Google Gemini add?

On April 9, 2025, Samsung and Google Cloud announced that Ballie would use Gemini alongside Samsung’s own language models and AI systems. Samsung said the robot would combine conversational AI with audio, voice, camera and environmental-sensor data.

Samsung’s examples included asking Ballie for clothing advice, seeking help when tired, getting sleep-related suggestions, adjusting the home environment and managing schedules. Any health or wellness guidance would have been an AI feature, not medical care.

The announcement did not establish the final Gemini model, the balance between local and cloud processing, data-retention rules, subscription terms or hardware requirements. Samsung explicitly said that final specifications, requirements and pricing were still to be determined. The announcement therefore described a planned implementation, not a confirmed commercial product.

Rank #3
Enabot EBO SE Home Robot Camera: 1080P Mobile FamilyBot Pet Companion
  • Remote Control, Mobile View: Drive EBO SE mobile robot camera to find your pets or check on family. Navigate through different rooms from anywhere and stay connected to every corner of your daily life
  • 1080P Clarity & Night Vision: Check in with clear 1080P views. With enhanced night vision, EBO SE pet camera robot lets you see your pets clearly even in the dark. See what they're up to when you're away from home
  • Stay Connected with Two-Way Audio: Talk to your family or pets in real-time. Whether it’s a quick "hello" or comforting your pet while you're away, EBO SE’s built-in audio keeps you just one tap away from the ones you love
  • Compact Design, No Hidden Spots: Drive EBO SE home camera robot to navigate under furniture and through tight spaces. Explore your house from a fresh, pet-level angle and see your world from a whole new perspective
  • Auto-Recharge, Always Ready: EBO SE automatically returns to its charging dock when power is low, ensuring your mobile companion stays energized and ready for your next remote visit whenever you need it

Read Samsung’s announcement here.

The missed summer 2025 launch

Samsung’s wording in April 2025 was stronger than a vague concept announcement: it said Ballie would be available in the United States and South Korea “this summer.” But “planned availability” was not the same as completed production, certification, retail stock or customer shipments.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The company did not provide the information a buyer would normally need before committing to a launch:

  • Final price.
  • Final dimensions and weight.
  • Battery capacity, runtime and charging method.
  • Supported languages and countries.
  • SmartThings compatibility details.
  • Gemini account or subscription requirements.
  • Privacy controls and data-retention policy.
  • Warranty, repair and replacement arrangements.
  • A confirmed shipping date or retail purchase page.

By January 2026, reporting indicated that the promised release had not occurred. Ballie was also absent from CES 2026 coverage. Ars Technica reported that Samsung characterised Ballie as an “active innovation platform”, while SamMobile interpreted the wording as evidence that the robot was heading toward cancellation or internal redirection.

That evidence supports saying Ballie is not currently a consumer product. It does not prove that Samsung can never revive it.

Why might a home robot like Ballie stall?

Samsung has not publicly provided a complete explanation for the delay, so the following are product-development pressures rather than confirmed reasons.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #4
Unitree Go2 Robot Dog Quadruped Robotics for Adults Embodied AI (Go2 Pro)
  • 【Next-Generation Robotic Companion: Meet the Unitree Go2 Robotic Dog】 The Unitree Go2 Pro is a powerful and intelligent quadruped robot designed for tech enthusiasts and advanced users alike. It measures 27.6"x12.2"x15.7" and weighs just 33 lbs, yet carries up to 17.8 lbs and reaches speeds of 3.5 m/s. Its advanced joint mobility allows it to climb 40° slopes and overcome 6.3" obstacles. An 8000 mAh battery provides 1–2 hours of operation.
  • 【Intelligent Navigation with 3D LiDAR & Obstacle Avoidance】 Featuring ultra-wide 3D LiDAR with 360°x96° perception, the Go2 Pro detects obstacles as close as 2 inches for reliable all-terrain navigation and real-time avoidance. Note: Obstacle avoidance must be manually enabled.
  • 【High-Definition Vision & Seamless App Integration】 A front HD camera streams 1280x720 video to the app. Control the robot, view real-time data, use graphical programming, and update firmware via OTA. Connectivity includes WiFi6 and Bluetooth 5.2. *Note: Voice/GPT features are Pro/X-exclusive; 4G modules are unavailable in North America.*
  • 【Advanced Joint & Cooling Design for Enhanced Durability】 Joints provide 45 N·m peak torque for dynamic, precise movement. Internal wiring reduces wear, and an integrated knee heat pipe improves thermal management for stable extended use. Warning: Not waterproof. Avoid rain or water.
  • 【Complete Package & Important Guidelines】 Each Go2 Pro comes with a handheld remote control and a 33.6V/3.5A standard charger. Please note that this product is non-returnable and non-exchangeable once activated, except for quality-related issues. We strongly recommend reviewing all specifications before purchase. Warranty: Go2 Air – 6 months; Go2 Pro/Go2 X – 12 months. The warranty does not cover damage caused by modifications, disassembly, or misuse. Users are advised to operate the robot responsibly and in compliance with local regulations.

Navigation and safety

A home robot must cope with clutter, thresholds, rugs, narrow spaces, stairs, pets and people who do not behave predictably. A demonstration route is easier than safe, reliable operation in thousands of different homes.

Battery and docking

Driving, sensing, using cameras, projecting images, maintaining wireless connectivity and processing AI requests all consume power. A useful companion must either run for much of the day or dock reliably without constant user intervention.

Projector limitations

A projector may work poorly in bright rooms or on unsuitable walls. A moving robot also has to position itself at a useful distance and angle. The projection feature could be impressive in a demonstration while being occasional rather than essential in daily use.

Privacy

A mobile device with cameras and microphones raises difficult questions about household recording, cloud processing, recognition of guests and children, and control over stored data. These concerns become more serious when the device moves through private rooms.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Cost and usefulness

Ballie attempted to combine several products: a robot, projector, camera, smart speaker and AI assistant. That creates a high bill of materials and a difficult value proposition. Consumers may reasonably ask whether a phone, smart display, projector, security camera, smart speaker or robot vacuum performs the required task more effectively.

Best Value
ENERGIZE LAB Eilik – Your Interactive Robot Companion, Full of Personality
  • BRING MORE LIFE TO YOUR DESK – Meet Eilik – your little robot friend with personality. With loving animations, expressive reactions, and playful interactions, Eilik brings more joy to your everyday life. Whether on your desk, at your workspace, or by your bedside, Eilik quickly becomes a familiar companion for special moments.
  • EVERY INTERACTION BRINGS A NEW SURPRISE – Touch Eilik and discover playful reactions that bring your little robot friend to life. Whether you’re giving Eilik a gentle touch, picking Eilik up, or playing together, Eilik responds with expressive animations, charming expressions, and playful reactions. Every interaction reveals more of Eilik’s personality and makes your little companion feel even more special.
  • READY FOR LITTLE MOMENTS, RIGHT AWAY – Eilik is ready to interact right out of the box – no complicated setup required. A simple touch is all it takes, and Eilik responds with expressive animations and charming reactions. Easy, intuitive, and full of little surprises that make every moment special.
  • EVEN MORE FUN TOGETHER – Every Eilik has its own charm. Bring two or more Eiliks together and watch them interact in their own playful ways – they play, dance, tease each other, and create fun moments together. Whether with friends, family, or as a couple, more Eiliks mean even more ways to play and enjoy.
  • MORE POSSIBILITIES AWAIT – Eilik is more than a little robot – it’s the beginning of a bigger world filled with new experiences. Expand your Eilik experience with AI Station for natural AI conversations and Panxer for exciting adventures. Regular updates also bring new animations, games, and surprises along the way.(AI Station and Panxer sold separately.)

Ecosystem dependence

The robot’s usefulness would depend partly on compatible SmartThings devices and a dependable home network. A buyer with limited smart-home equipment might receive only a fraction of the advertised experience.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What could consumers buy instead?

There is no true replacement for Ballie’s unrealised combination of mobility, projection, sensing and conversational AI. The practical alternatives depend on which part of the concept attracted you.

  • For cleaning: Samsung’s robot vacuum range addresses a specific physical household task, but it is not a companion or projector.
  • For projection: Samsung’s portable projectors provide visual content without autonomous movement or room monitoring.
  • For smart-home control: SmartThings-compatible hubs, sensors and appliances can automate a home without a mobile robot.
  • For conversational AI: Gemini provides software-based assistance, but not movement, projection or room-to-room sensing.
  • For a mobile robot concept: Amazon’s Astro is a closer conceptual comparison, although its availability and current status should be checked directly for the buyer’s market.

These products should not be marketed as literal Ballie replacements. They address individual tasks that Ballie promised to combine but never delivered as a verified consumer product.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What would prove that Ballie is really launching?

A future comeback would need more than another trade-show video. Strong evidence would include an official product page with purchase controls, a final price, shipping date, regional availability and a complete specification sheet.

Buyers should also look for demonstrated answers to practical questions: How does Ballie handle stairs and pets? How long does it run? Does it process camera and microphone data locally? What happens when the internet is unavailable? Which SmartThings devices work with it? Is Gemini included, limited or subscription-based? How are repairs and battery replacement handled?

Until Samsung provides those details and begins taking orders, Ballie remains a prototype and product concept rather than a product customers can plan around.

Verdict

Ballie was a real Samsung project, not a fabricated CES prop. Samsung redesigned it, added a projector, demonstrated home-assistance features and announced a planned Gemini partnership. But the company missed its 2025 consumer launch, and there is no verified retail availability as of August 18, 2026.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The most accurate description is therefore: Samsung’s Ballie was once targeted for production, but it is currently an unreleased home-robot platform with no confirmed consumer launch.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Site Office

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.