Samsung’s BB-8-Like Rolling Robot Seems to Have Been Shelved
January 7, 2026
Samsung’s spherical Ballie robot, reminiscent of BB-8 from Star Wars, appears to be departing from the consumer market, less than a year after its planned retail launch. The robot, which has appeared at CES numerous times since its announcement in 2020, was notably absent from CES 2026, prompting speculation about its future.
In a statement sent to Bloomberg, Samsung described Ballie as an “active innovation platform” aimed at exploring new smart home experiences, including spatial awareness, ambient AI, and privacy-by-design. However, the statement did not mention any plans for consumer release or production.
Ballie, about the size of a bright yellow soccer ball, features a built-in projector and Google Gemini integration. It was expected to join fellow AI robots showcased at CES, such as LG’s CLOiD robot, which was prominent this year. The robot's iconic design and capabilities suggest Samsung had been considering bringing it to market, but recent signs point to its shelving.
As of now, it appears Samsung may be shifting focus away from this particular robot prototype, making it unlikely that BB-8’s robotic doppelgänger will be available to consumers in the near future.
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Stevie Bonifield
The Verge