[CES 2020] Samsung introduces cute butler robot 'Ballie' for personal care

By Park Sae-jin Posted : January 7, 2020, 16:35 Updated : January 7, 2020, 16:35

[Courtesy of Samsung Electronics]

LAS VEGAS -- At CES 2020, a trade fair in Las Vegas, Samsung Electronics amused visitors with Ballie, a small ball-shaped rolling robot that follows its master around the house to provide personalized care services just like a human butler. The artificial intelligence-based robot can watch, listen and react to the action and voice of its master.

The yellow ball robot was showcased during a keynote speech by Samsung's consumer electronics CEO Kim Hyun-suk who declared the "Age of Experience," heralding a decade of human-centered innovation that would seamlessly connect hardware to software to maximize personalized experiences.

Just like its brand motto "Ballie's got your back," the robot scuttles around the house at the heels of its master to connect to IoT (internet of things) devices like TVs, AI-based speakers and air conditioners to meet the changing needs of humans.

The butler robot is a glimpse of Samsung's Age of Experience. The new AI-based technology paradigm including technologies such as AI-based robot technology, augmented reality (AR) and home IoT networks will transform how people care for themselves and their families.

"In the Age of Experience, we need to re-think the space we have to accommodate our diverse and evolving lifestyles," Kim said, adding Samsung will make a unique approach through human-centered innovation.

Personal care is the core concept of Samsung's human-centered vision. The tech giant also showcased advanced and personalized health solutions. Through collaboration with Kaiser Permanente, an American integrated healthcare company, Samsung developed a cardiac rehabilitation solution that interlinks with Samsung smartwatches using Bluetooth connection.

The solution helps patients to rehabilitate at home by reminding them to exercise and collect health data. A smartwatch interlinked to the health solution will display heart rate and other data during workouts. The data is automatically updated to the patient's chart so that doctors and health managers can track patients' progress.

Samsung also introduced a real gem that can help people workout at home. GEMS (Gait Enhancing & Motivating System) technology allows users wearing AR glasses to get immersed in activities such as mountain climbing and underwater walks with a virtual health trainer in their living room. The boundary-breaking GEMS was designed to recommend exercises accordingly to the level of users' activities.

At the center of Samsung's personalized human-centered technologies is security. "We see on-device AI as central to truly personalized experiences. On-device AI puts you in control of your information and protects your privacy, while still delivering the power of personalization," said Samsung Electronics' chief research scientist Sebastian Seung.

Kim emphasized the importance of maintaining a high-security level to protect personal data. Samsung's defense-grade security platform Knox will be utilized in protecting Samsung devices from smartphones and TVs to home appliances such as refrigerators. "We will further ensure transparent data management and transfer by advancing our data protection efforts with on-device AI, edge computing, and blockchain technology."
기사 이미지 확대 보기
닫기