Samsung’s Ballie Robot: Is It Ever Coming?
▼ Summary
– Samsung’s Ballie robot appears to have been shelved, as it was absent from CES 2026 after being a frequent show presence.
– The company stated Ballie remains an “active innovation platform” that informs its design of smart home and AI experiences.
– Samsung’s statement made no mention of a consumer release for the spherical, projector-equipped robot.
– The 2026 CES featured many AI robots from competitors, such as LG’s CLOiD, where Ballie would have fit in.
– Despite a retail launch announcement less than a year prior, Ballie likely will not be released to consumers.
The future of Samsung’s much-hyped Ballie robot appears uncertain, casting doubt on its promised consumer release. The spherical smart home companion, a fixture at the Consumer Electronics Show since its 2020 debut, was conspicuously absent from the CES 2026 floor. This notable silence strongly suggests the project may have been quietly shelved, despite an announcement less than a year ago that it was headed for retail.
In correspondence with Bloomberg, Samsung described Ballie as an “active innovation platform.” The company stated it continues to influence their approach to creating spatially aware and context-driven experiences, specifically in the realms of smart home intelligence, ambient AI, and privacy-by-design. This carefully worded statement, however, made no commitment to an actual product launch for the public.
The robot’s absence was particularly striking given the surge of AI-powered home robots showcased by competitors at this year’s event. Rival LG featured its CLOiD robot, highlighting the growing market Ballie was meant to enter. Designed as a bright yellow, soccer ball-sized device with a built-in projector and integrated Google Gemini, the charming BB-8-esque robot would have been a natural fit for the show’s theme. Its disappearance, however, signals that Samsung has likely shifted its strategy, leaving consumers who anticipated rolling the helpful bot into their living rooms waiting indefinitely.
(Source: The Verge)
