Samsung's Ballie, a home robot first introduced in 2020, will not be released as initially envisioned. The South Korean tech firm had presented Ballie as a potential smart home companion capable of facial recognition, smart device control, and even projection, but the project has effectively been shelved.

First showcased at CES 2020, Ballie was demonstrated using facial recognition to follow its owner and interact with smart home devices, such as activating a smart vacuum when a mess was detected. Ars Technica reported at the time that Ballie was the most advanced concept Samsung had on display.

A revamped version of Ballie appeared at CES 2024, featuring a larger, more spherical design with three wheels and a light ring. Samsung presented a video demonstrating Ballie's ability to function as a projector, claiming it could provide two to three hours of continuous use before requiring a recharge. The demonstration also highlighted Ballie's connectivity with smartphones.

The initial vision for Ballie included its use as a smart speaker and a central hub for controlling various smart home functions. The robot was intended to leverage artificial intelligence to learn user preferences and automate tasks.

While Samsung has not explicitly stated that the Ballie project is canceled, the lack of updates and the absence of a firm release date suggest that the robot, in its originally conceived form, will not be commercially available. The technology and concepts explored in the Ballie project may, however, influence future Samsung products and smart home initiatives.