Samsung has its hands full this summer. With new foldables on the way, it looks like one other highly anticipated product won’t be making an appearance. According to The Korea Times, Samsung will delay the launch of its AI-powered home robot, Ballie.
The company is reportedly still refining the experience and struggling to pin down a price. The Samsung Ballie robot was expected to debut sometime this summer, but that plan is now facing a delay.
Home robots aren’t new. We’ve seen plenty over the years, from Sony’s Aibo robotic dog to early smart home bots that promised everything from vacuuming to voice control. But despite decades of attempts, none have truly hit the mainstream. Most people still associate robots with novelty rather than necessity.
Samsung wants to change that with Ballie. The robot is designed to act as a smart home companion, using AI to understand and interact with users. Its latest version includes a built-in projector that can display messages, alerts, or even entertainment content. But it’s not just about the features, it’s also about cost.
Estimates suggest Ballie could be priced north of $2,000. That’s a steep ask for a category that hasn’t proven itself yet. AI may be hot in software and services, but hardware-based AI gadgets like the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1 have shown just how tricky it is to create something useful and sustainable.
Samsung isn’t the only company eyeing this space. Apple is reportedly exploring home robotics, too, though those efforts are still under wraps. Everyone wants a piece of the smart home future, but no one has quite nailed it yet.
Samsung hasn’t shared a new timeline yet. Ballie might still show up at Galaxy Unpacked on July 9, but that’s just speculation for now.
