Samsung Ballie AI Robot Faces Another Launch Delay After Missing Summer 2025 Release Window

Samsung's Rollable Robot Ballie Isn't Canceled, But It's Delayed Again

With over a decade of experience reporting on consumer technology, James covers mobile phones, apps, operating systems, wearables, AI, and more. Samsung's upcoming AI companion robot Ballie has had an odd journey on its road to release, and the wait for it to arrive is set to continue. Ballie was first teased for a US and South Korea release during the first six months of 2025, before later being delayed until an undisclosed date in the summer. That release window came and went without any official update from Samsung. Samsung has now confirmed to TechRadar that it hasn't canceled the robot, but it needs more time to work on Ballie before release. A Samsung spokesperson said, "We are continuing to refine and perfect the technology to deliver an even more impactful customer experience." It also hasn't shared an update on a potential new release window so we don't know when Ballie will hit shop shelves. The official Samsung website in the US continues to tease Ballie with a tagline of "more than a home robot, it's your buddy." You can sign up for updates, and there's an animation of Ballie saying "see you soon." Samsung's comments come after a report from The Korea Times in July said industry insiders were suggesting Samsung wanted to reevaluate Ballie's position in the market. The report said the concerns were around the price of Ballie, which is expected to be high. The robot was first unveiled as a prototype in 2020, before Samsung returned to the product in early 2024 with a larger design and more AI-focused features. It then teased the product again at CES 2025 saying it would come out later in the year. Ballie comes with Google's Gemini AI tech onboard, and it'll help with smart home tasks like controlling lights, setting alarms, and answering questions. There's also a mini projector built into the robot so it can show you videos or images to answer your questions.

Surprise! Samsung's Ballie smart robot is delayed again

Samsung has been developing the Ballie robot for half a decade now. In that time, we've seen multiple iterations of the robot, with the manufacturer offering glimpses at CES 2024 and the 2025 edition earlier this year. In April, Samsung said it would launch the Gemini-powered robot/projector this summer in the US and South Korea. That timeframe has come and gone, with the product nowhere in sight. Responding to TechRadar's request for a comment, a Samsung spokesperson acknowledged the delay, though no alternative launch date was provided. "We are continuing to refine and perfect the technology to deliver an even more impactful customer experience," the company spokesperson said. It's been a long wait for Ballie Samsung has been developing Ballie for a few years now, with the product first being shown off nearly six years ago at CES 2020. However, Ballie was designed solely as a prototype with the company having no intention of bringing it to market. But that changed in 2024, as TechRadar points out, with the company then stating earlier this year at CES that the AI robot would debut by the first half of the year. That timeline was then moved to this summer, but the device didn't show up. However, the US sign-up page that Samsung set up back then is still live, so we wouldn't say the company has completely given up on the Gemini-powered smart projector just yet. Although Samsung has published videos and some imagery of the Ballie robot, the company hasn't let the public (or reviewers) try it out in extensive detail. Given that Samsung has shown off the robot at the last two CES events, we wouldn't be surprised if Ballie makes another appearance at CES 2026 early next month, hopefully with expanded access to the robot. While it looks similar to a robot vacuum, Samsung's Ballie serves a completely different purpose. The last we heard, Ballie is designed to be a smart assistant that can control your lights, greet guests at the door, or even potentially offer wardrobe recommendations by leveraging the cameras (and Gemini) onboard. Samsung also mentioned a "patrol" functionality during the robot's early iteration, designed to keep an eye on your home (and pets) when you're away. Combining all of these attributes with the ability to project videos at will makes for a pretty sweet combination. Do you like what Samsung Ballie has to offer based on what we know so far?

Samsung's Ballie robot still isn't ready as release window comes and goes... again

Samsung's adorable and round home assistant robot, Ballie, was not released as promised in mid-2025, and the company now notes that the little Gemini-powered bot simply isn't ready with yet another delay. Samsung initially teased Ballie at CES 2020. The concept has shifted over the years as technology has evolved around AI and made the project more suitable for in-home use with a purpose. The robot is now positioned as a home assistant robot that can take calls, show videos via a floor-facing projector, and use Google Gemini to make conversation and perform smart home actions. Most recently, Samsung promised Ballie would launch in the summer of 2025 for both the US and Korean markets. That time has since come and gone with less than a whisper about the AI buddy. According to a report from TechRadar, Samsung commented on the delay with this simple response: We are continuing to refine and perfect the technology to deliver an even more impactful customer experience. We initially reported that Ballie was delayed beyond the summer window, though there were few details available regarding Samsung's progress. The report indicated that Samsung was slowing things down as it made adjustments to how Ballie operated in the home, and the latest statement merely echoes that sentiment. The company still doesn't seem ready to release the robot, and Ballie appears to still be struggling with an identity crisis. This isn't even the second delay for Ballie. Samsung showed off the project in 2020, as mentioned, and it's made recent CES appearances since then with obvious improvements. Since then, the project has been extended multiple times, with the previous launch window the most concrete estimate up to that point. That means a little less, as Ballie did not, in fact, release in summer 2025. There's a chance Samsung brings Ballie back to Las Vegas for CES 2026, though the company has made no further promises on release. Users can still sign up for product updates regarding the rolling Gemini assistant, though the update page hasn't changed in recent months.

Samsung's Ballie robot is delayed again - and now we know why

If you've been wondering where Samsung's Ballie robot companion is - after being reintroduced at CES 2025 and promised for a summer launch - you're not alone. Ballie's been a long-promised robot within the wide world of Samsung. It was first shown off as a prototype back in 2020 with no plans for a consumer release. Samsung then reintroduced it in 2024 with a larger footprint and more AI onboard, and once again showed it off at CES 2025 with a promise to launch in the first half of the year. Samsung reconfirmed a few months later in April that Ballie would launch in the United States and Korea in summer 2025 - a sign-up page, much like Samsung drops for the next Galaxy smartphone, even appeared on the site. It's now December 2025, though, and while you can still sign up for updates, Ballie is not yet a robot you can purchase. TechRadar reached out to Samsung for an update on Ballie, and a spokesperson told us, "We are continuing to refine and perfect the technology to deliver an even more impactful customer experience." Short answer: Ballie's not quite ready, and Samsung is still working on the AI robot companion. Even more than a Samsung Frame TV, a smart fridge, or a smartphone - and more like Galaxy AI or Vision AI - Ballie is designed to be a companion: one that can roam your home, projecting visuals and content, but also serve as a helpful assistant. Samsung did show off a Ballie demo at CES 2025, with its projection skills and AI features running in a loop, but it stopped short of letting attendees truly interact with it. We'll likely need a proper hands-on as we march toward consumer availability and see how Samsung refines the robot. It's certainly more friendly and less invasive than, say, a Neo X1 Robot, but it also lacks the fun and inviting nature of Disney's Olaf robot or the BDX Droids. Then again, this one can project movies, TV shows, and other visuals, and it can answer questions. Samsung also noted that Gemini would be embedded to help with myriad tasks as part of a partnership with Google Cloud. As a refresher, Ballie comes in the form of a bright yellow, almost basketball-sized round ball that rolls around on wheels to navigate one floor. It can't tackle stairs, but what it lacks in legs it makes up for with sensors. It was set to feature a LiDAR sensor stack with a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor, speakers, microphones, a rear 2K camera, a front 4K camera, and a projector. It remains to be seen when we'll get another update on Ballie, but hopefully, Samsung is a bit more direct when it makes its next move. That might be at CES 2026, and who knows - we might finally get a confirmed launch date for the US and Korea with exact pricing. We also might just get another demo reel, and Ballie will continue to be something we hear and see, but not interact with.

Samsung Ballie Delayed Again as AI Home Robot Misses 2025 Launch - Phandroid

Remember that cute bowling ball robot Samsung kept teasing? Don't hold your breath. Samsung Ballie has been delayed yet again, pushing past its promised 2025 timeline with no new release date in sight. Samsung first showed off Ballie nearly six years ago at CES 2020. The company then revived it with AI upgrades and a built-in projector in 2024. Samsung aimed for a summer 2025 debut after CES 2025 demos, but that window came and went. Now, a Samsung spokesperson told TechRadar the company is ensuring "an even more impactful customer experience" without specifying what needs fixing. The rolling spherical assistant was designed to follow users around the home. It can project schedules or videos onto walls, control smart lights and appliances via Google Gemini AI, and monitor health stats. However, Samsung hasn't clarified what's causing the holdup. Is it the AI smarts, navigation reliability, battery life, or pricing? Nobody knows. For busy families or elderly users, Ballie's hands-free home control sounds appealing. Imagine displaying recipes while cooking or getting pet-monitoring alerts without touching your phone. But after years of hype and multiple delays, the novelty is wearing thin. The reality is that Ballie faces tough competition. Cheaper alternatives like Echo Dots or robot vacuums already handle specific tasks well. Samsung hasn't shared pricing, but if it's anywhere near premium smart home territory, many buyers might pass. The company isn't alone in struggling with home robots either. Amazon's Astro and other AI companions have failed to go mainstream. This raises questions about whether Samsung's AI-powered gadgets can avoid the gimmick pile. For now, Ballie remains a concept rather than something you can actually buy. CES 2026 might bring updates, but at this point, waiting for real reviews makes more sense than pre-ordering based on promises.

Samsung Ballie Robot Reportedly Delayed Again, Won't Launch This Year

Samsung's Ballie home robot has been delayed once again and will not launch in 2025 as previously promised. The long-awaited AI companion, which has been showcased multiple times over the past few years, was expected to finally reach consumers this year after several public demonstrations and official teasers. However, the latest report claims Samsung has put those plans on hold yet again, extending a development journey that has already seen multiple missed timelines. The renewed delay has once more raised questions around Ballie's readiness and pricing strategy. Samsung Ballie Robot Delayed Again The South Korean tech giant has reportedly confirmed the delay to TechRadar, saying it is "continuing to refine and perfect the technology to deliver an even more impactful customer experience." This suggests that Ballie is still not ready for consumer release yet. Ballie was most recently promised for a summer 2025 launch in the US and South Korea. Samsung even opened a sign-up page earlier this year, raising expectations of an imminent release. However, the summer window passed without any launch. As of December 2025, Ballie is still not available for purchase, and Samsung has not shared a new release timeline. Ballie was initially showcased in 2020, when Samsung first revealed it as a prototype with no commercial plans. The robot returned in 2024 with a larger design and a stronger focus on AI features. Samsung then showcased Ballie again at CES 2025, promising a launch in the first half of the year. That plan later shifted to summer 2025, which has now also been missed. Reports from South Korea recently suggested Samsung was re-evaluating Ballie's market position, with pricing believed to be a major concern. At present, Ballie is expected to reappear at CES 2026, where Samsung may finally announce a definite launch date and may even reveal its pricing. However, there is no official confirmation yet, and the company has only reiterated that development is still ongoing. As for features, Ballie is said to be designed as an AI-powered robot companion rather than just a smart home controller. It is teased to come in a bright yellow, round design, roughly the size of a basketball, and moves on wheels to navigate flat surfaces. It cannot climb stairs, but the robot is expected to include LiDAR and Time-of-Flight sensors, microphones, speakers, a rear 2K camera, a front 4K camera, and a built-in projector. Ballie can reportedly project visuals such as movies, videos, and information onto walls and floors. It is designed to follow users around the home, answer questions, control smart home devices, play media, manage reminders, and assist with daily tasks. Its AI features are powered by Google's Gemini, through Samsung's partnership with Google Cloud.