When we think of robots assisting us in and performing tasks for us, we don’t particularly think of robots being empathetic in our needs and being able to proactively assist us with no need for us to command it of them. Samsung has unveiled a new robotic device at CES which they claim through the use of artificial intelligence recognises the intentions and needs of people in a household and gets the technology to do things for them.
The device, called Ballie, is essentially a robot shaped like a tennis ball, not too dissimilar to ones we have seen from Sphero. The magic lies not in its physical technology, but rather the artificial intelligence that drives it. Samsung hasn’t provided too many details yet on how exactly the device determines different actions or which devices it can connect to just yet, but did release a nifty little video of how they envision their device to add value to the average home, from switching on the TV to closing curtains, switching on the microwave or activating a smart vacuum cleaner if you’re rich enough to ever afford one of those:
I like this though, in reality, I can see the Ballie getting in the way of people and causing injuries everywhere when people accidentally step in it while it moves from room to room. It also wouldn’t survive in my house because this thing would get chewed up by my Jack Russels in no time and there is no way it can outrun them.
Still, their concept provides a nice glimpse of what the future could like in a smart home featuring a series of interconnected devices. The company has not revealed when they believe the device will be ready for market nor what it would cost. Give the technology show here, it might be a while before we see it coming out with a serious limitation on actions when it does first release, with a companion app to set up and provide certain rules or settings. Not to mention probably costing a fair amount too, medical bills aside.
Last Updated: January 9, 2020
HairyEwok
January 10, 2020 at 08:08
…recognises the intentions and needs of people in a household and gets the technology to do things for them…. Sooooo it’s a robot genie with unlimited wishes?
Admiral Chief
January 10, 2020 at 08:43
BB8 competition
Original Heretic
January 10, 2020 at 09:18
“Proactively meet the needs of owners”?!
My mind went to a bad place.
LegionZA
January 10, 2020 at 07:14
The new generation might go for it, but probably not the old ballies out there.
Llama In The Rift
January 10, 2020 at 07:29
True…everyone’s got that uncle who likes to kick the first ball he sees.
Admiral Chief
January 10, 2020 at 08:43
Old BAL you say, heh, old bal not liking new bal
Francois Knoetze
January 13, 2020 at 15:38
Good bloody luck with toddlers in the house. the thing will either break in the first 5 minutes or it will go missing in some toy box, cupboard etc…