What if you had a little robot buddy rolling around your house, helping you out with chores, keeping your pets entertained, and even saving you money?
That’s exactly what Samsung’s latest innovation, Ballie, says it’s here to do. Think of it as your very own personal assistant—only in the shape of a talkative robot bowling ball packed with cutting-edge AI smarts.
Jeremy Senior, Vice President of Samsung Australia, summed it up perfectly during the company’s latest showcase at January’s CES 2025: “It’s all about making homes more efficient and comfortable.”
And that’s not just talk—Samsung’s smart tech, like AI washing machines, can already cut energy usage by up to 60 per cent. Ballie could just the next logical step in making everyday life smarter, simpler, and yes, a whole lot cooler.
What makes Ballie so special?
First introduced at CES 2020, Ballie started out as a small softball-sized concept. But five years later, it’s grown to the size of a volleyball and is finally ready to roll into homes in 2025.
And while we’re still waiting for the exact release details, Ballie’s features are already turning heads.
This little robot is packed with cutting-edge tech, including cameras, LiDAR sensors, and advanced AI to help it understand your routines and learn what you need.
Basically, it’s like having an AI-powered home assistant that acts as a security system, home projector and butler rolled into one.
Need someone to keep an eye on your dog while you’re at work? Ballie’s on it. Want to project a yoga routine or play a game for your cat? Done.
And Ballie isn’t just about fun. It’s a pro at managing other smart devices in your home. It can adjust your smart lights, close your curtains, or even cue up a movie on the nearest wall—all while navigating your home without bumping into furniture.
A smarter way to live
But Ballie isn’t just a one-off gadget; it’s part of Samsung’s larger vision for the future of smart homes.
Samsung has been shaping this space since acquiring SmartThings in 2014, and today, it’s one of the biggest players in the $1.35 trillion Internet of Things market.
From smart vacuums to energy-saving appliances, Samsung’s devices are designed to work together seamlessly. For example, their robot vacuums don’t just clean—they can also act as security cameras.
Imagine being able to check in on your aging in-laws or investigating a suspicious noise, all through your vacuum.
“AI isn’t just about your home,” said Mr. Senior. “It’s about making your life easier, no matter where you are.”
Picture this: you’re driving home, and with a few taps, you can turn on the lights, set the temperature, and even have Ballie queue up your favourite show before you walk through the door.
With no word on pricing, it remains to be seen whether this ball buddy will be a household staple or a glorified Roomba for the 1 per cent, but Samsung did make a point of saying they wanted their tech innovations to be “accessible for everyone”.
“A lot of Australians already have connected devices,” Mr. Senior explained. “It’s about figuring out how to make them work together.”
The easiest way to get started? Download Samsung’s SmartThings app. According to the company, it’ll show you which of your devices (think TVs, washing machines, air cons) are already compatible with Ballie so you can ready your home for a robot butler without replacing everything.
What about security?
Of course, we all worry about privacy when it comes to smart devices. The idea of a robot tracking my movements and sending my data off so Maccas can shill me their breakfast deal along my morning walking route doesn’t exactly excite me.
Neither does the idea of hackers watching me couch nap through Ballie’s camera or pranksters messing with the thermostat.
While no word on the data tracking front, Samsung says they do have a fix for potential home hackers, with the integration of it’s latest Knox security platform into the SmartThings ecosystem.
Describing Knox as a security guard for your device network, Mr Senior explained that when one device is compromised, your other home appliances ‘work together’ to block it out and keep your home secure.
How AI-led devices join forces to beat back hackers is bit over my head, but Samsung seems to be taking security seriously as they endeavour to bring more new-age tech into the smart home.
“We know people want to feel safe when using AI in their homes,” says Mr. Senior. “That’s why security is a top priority for us.”
The future of living starts now
From managing your appliances to entertaining your pets, Samsung’s Ballie does have the potential to be more than just another gadget—it’s like having a tech-savvy assistant whirring away beneath your feet.
And Ballie could just be the beginning. With a fleet of innovations like AI-powered washing machines and smart vacuums, Samsung is quickly pulling us closer to the robot-powered Back to the Future 2 future we all thought we’d be in by now.
