Five years have passed since we first laid eyes on Ballie, Samsung’s rolling robot, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). After that initial introduction, the robot underwent a practical redesign. Now, as we return to CES 2024, it seems Ballie is finally ready to roll out to consumers sometime in 2025. However, I remain skeptical about its chances of success.
A Skeptical View
At first glance, Ballie’s design might seem impressive, with its sleek and modern appearance. Nevertheless, upon closer inspection, those wheels appear a bit flimsy. This raises the question: are they intentionally designed to be weak or will they withstand the rigors of daily use? Perhaps Samsung is planning ahead for a future scenario where Ballie secretly amasses an army and turns against us (a notion that might sound far-fetched, but I’m still not convinced).
The Latest Demo
During Samsung’s First Look event at CES, I had the opportunity to watch a pre-recorded demo of Ballie in action. The robot was tasked with providing information about a nearby attraction called "The Sphere." After projecting its image onto the ground, Ballie easily switched to displaying more detailed information on a nearby wall, demonstrating its ability to adapt and respond to different situations.
Interacting with Ballie is relatively straightforward, thanks to voice commands or physical buttons projected onto the floor. For instance, users can ask for directions, watch movies, or even control their smart home devices.
A Closer Look at Features
In terms of features, Ballie boasts several interesting capabilities:
- Visual AI: Ballie has access to visual AI powers that enable it to answer queries and provide information about various topics.
- Smart Home Control: Users can control their lights, routines, and other smart home devices using voice commands or physical buttons.
- Accessibility Features: Although not fully explored during the demo, Samsung is expected to reveal more details about Ballie’s accessibility features.
A Mixed Bag
While Ballie shows promise as a portable projector with some impressive features, there are still concerns about its performance and reliability. For example:
- Image Brightness: Ballie’s built-in speakers were loud and clear, but the image quality could be improved.
- Lumen Output: As a relatively small device, Ballie is unlikely to deliver high ANSI lumen output.
The Verdict
Despite its flaws, Ballie still has some charm to it. Samsung’s vision for this robot may not have been fully realized, but it shows potential as an innovative product that could disrupt the smart home market. However, I’m still reserving judgment until we see more concrete details and real-world performance.
What’s Next?
Samsung has confirmed that Ballie will roll out in 2025, with some outlets even predicting a specific release window in the first half of the year. As for pricing, it remains to be seen what users can expect to pay for this innovative robot.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while I remain skeptical about Ballie’s chances of success, its latest demo at CES 2024 has certainly piqued my interest. With a combination of smart features, visual AI capabilities, and control over the smart home, Ballie has the potential to be an exciting addition to many households.
We will have to wait until more information becomes available before making any final judgments about this robot’s prospects. For now, I’m keeping an open mind and eagerly anticipating what the future holds for Ballie.
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