From phandroid.com
Quick Points
- Samsung is delaying the launch of its AI-powered home robot, Ballie, due to refining the experience and struggling with pricing.
- Ballie is designed to be a smart home companion with features like AI interaction and a built-in projector.
- The price for Ballie is estimated to be over $2,000, which raises concerns about its market success.
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.
[ For more curated Samsung news, check out the main news page here]
Sounds Nerdy Insights
- Risks:** Delaying the launch may lead to missed market opportunities or losing momentum. High pricing could deter potential buyers, especially in a market where robotic home assistants are not yet mainstream.
- Missing Information:** The article does not delve into specific reasons for the pricing concerns or provide insights into consumer demand for such a product.
- Alternative Perspective:** While Samsung aims to revolutionize the smart home space with Ballie, the article does not discuss potential competition or how Samsung plans to address consumer skepticism about the necessity of home robots.
The post Samsung delays Ballie robot launch as pricing raise concerns – Phandroid first appeared on phandroid.com
