However, Samsung faces competition from LG, which announced its own home companion robot, the AI Agent, set to release in 2025. Despite the competition and the potential for a gap between promise and execution, Samsung remains optimistic about the role of robotic assistants in homes. The company believes that, like many current appliances and gadgets, home robots could become a prevalent part of our lives in the next decade.
Key takeaways:
- Samsung is developing a home companion robot called Ballie, which is expected to be available for consumers in 2024. The robot is designed to help around the house, control smart-home devices, and project streaming shows onto walls.
- Ballie is equipped with a spatial LiDAR sensor for navigation and a built-in 1080p projector. It can be controlled via voice commands or text messages, and is designed to respond to the presence of household members.
- Samsung's rival, LG, is also developing a home companion robot, the AI Agent, which is expected to be released in 2025. The AI Agent can control smart home gadgets, gather home temperature and air quality data, and engage in complex conversations.
- Despite the potential of these robots, there is skepticism about their practicality and usefulness in the home. Amazon's Astro robot, for example, was found to be more of a novelty than a productive household member by early reviewers.