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Samsung has unveiled an exciting update to its Ballie personal assistant robot at CES 2024, featuring a new design, an onboard projector, and enhanced AI capabilities.
The original Ballie, introduced in 2020, resembled a basketball. Still, the latest version takes on a more playful and futuristic appearance, reminiscent of characters from the popular video game Among Us, adorned with vibrant colors and a square-ish display.
Companion, Entertainer, and Guardian
The 2024 iteration of Ballie aims to serve as more than just a personal assistant; it's positioned as a companion, an entertainment device, and even a roving guard dog.
Equipped with front and rear cameras, Ballie can seamlessly follow users around the house, respond to calls, and even offer a welcoming presence at the door.
According to CNET, Ballie integrates with smart home devices, allowing users to control lights, thermostats, and other connected appliances. It's essentially an Alexa on wheels but with a physical presence.
Onboard Projector Innovation
One of the standout features of the updated Ballie is its onboard projector. This projector goes beyond conventional capabilities by automatically detecting people's posture and facial angles and adjusting the optimal projection angle accordingly.
This innovative functionality enhances the viewing experience, ensuring optimal visibility.
Additionally, the projector is designed to calibrate itself based on different surfaces, allowing users to stream content from platforms like YouTube and other sources.
CES 2024 Unveiling
Ballie's announcement follows closely on the heels of LG's unveiling of its Smart Home AI agent, marking CES 2024 as a showcase for advanced AI assistants.
According to Ars Technica, Samsung's Ballie stands out not only for its enhanced features but also for its catchy name. Despite the excitement surrounding the announcement, specific details regarding the pricing and availability of Ballie 2024 are yet to be disclosed.
As with many CES reveals, eager consumers and tech enthusiasts will eagerly await further information on when they can welcome this updated AI companion into their homes.
The continued evolution of personal assistant robots signals a promising future where AI seamlessly integrates into our daily lives, offering both utility and entertainment.
Photo: Martin Martz/Unsplash
