In the shape of a tennis ball, this robot follows you everywhere. Its integrated AI allows it to communicate with other connected objects but also to secure your home. A real companion that perhaps foreshadows the future of robots for individuals.
Samsung is present this week at the CES 2020 electronics show in Las Vegas, and the manufacturer presented its concept called “ Age of Experience ”, human-centered technologies and improved quality of life. The Korean firm took advantage of its keynote to present its new personal assistant. Rather than a simply connected speaker, Ballie is a robot in the shape of a ball that is reminiscent of the BB-8 droid from Star Wars.
HS Kim, the CEO of Samsung, described his vision of robots as life companions. Ballie is able to move while rolling and can follow the user thanks to the integrated camera, as demonstrated by HS Kim on the scene. Ballie was able to keep the same distance, even when the CEO advanced towards the robot, and he came into his hands on simple voice command.
An assistant who follows you everywhere
The robot is guided by artificial intelligence , which seems to be at the heart of Samsung’s projects. The firm has published a promotional video where Ballie is able to interact with connected objects in the house, such as opening the shutters in the morning, turning on the TV, or even calling a robot vacuum when something has been knocked over. It also offers security functions, allowing you to monitor the house from a distance, for example, and can also be used as a sports coach .
Samsung has not released a release date or price, or even whether it will be possible to buy it one day. At the moment it seems rather to be a prototype, the promotional video would mainly show plans for the future. It remains to be seen if, with all the recent cases of security cameras and other devices that have been hacked, it really makes sense to have a camera capable of following you into the bathroom.