Samsung Ballie Review: The AI-Powered Rolling Home Robot
Samsung’s Ballie first wowed audiences at CES 2020 as a cute, rolling home assistant robot. Now, in 2025, it’s finally hitting the market with upgraded AI, smart home control, and even projector capabilities. But is this $1,500 rolling robot worth the hype?
In this hands-on review, we’ll test its features, daily usefulness, and whether it’s the future of home robotics.

📦 Unboxing & First Impressions
What’s in the Box?
✔ Ballie Robot (10-inch diameter, 2.2 lbs)
✔ Wireless Charging Dock
✔ Mini Remote Control
✔ Cleaning Cloth & Tools
Key Specs at a Glance
- 1080p Projector (for movies/workouts on walls)
- 360° Camera (home monitoring, pet tracking)
- Bixby AI + SmartThings Integration (voice control)
- 4-Hour Battery (extends with dock)
🤖 How Ballie Works: Key Features Tested
1. AI Home Companion
- Follows you room-to-room (avoiding obstacles).
- Responds to voice commands (“Ballie, play my workout video”).
- Learns routines (e.g., greets you at the door at 6 PM).
2. Smart Home Control Hub
- Controls lights, thermostats, and locks via SmartThings.
- Security mode (patrols home, sends alerts if intruders detected).
- 360° camera for home monitoring & pet tracking
- Controls SmartThings-compatible devices (lights, AC, locks)
3. Built-in Projector
- Projects workouts, recipes, movies, video calls ,or Netflix (up to 60 inches).
- Auto-keeps image level even while moving.
4. Pet & Baby Monitor
- Tracks pets/kids and sends live feed to your phone.
- Dispenses treats (with add-on accessory).
5.Security Mode
Patrols home & sends alerts if intruders detected
key features of Samsung Baillie
“Samsung Baillie” doesn’t appear to be a known product name for a Samsung XR device. The Samsung XR headset that’s being developed in collaboration with Google and powered by Android XR is currently known by its codename: “Project Moohan.”1
Here are the key features of Samsung’s Project Moohan (the Android XR headset), based on current information and leaks:
1. Powerful Core Hardware:
- Processor: It’s confirmed to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset. This is a powerful chip specifically designed for XR applications, offering robust performance for mixed reality and virtual reality experiences.
- RAM: Geekbench listings indicate it will feature 16GB of RAM, which is substantial for handling complex XR applications and multitasking.
- Operating System: It will run Android XR, Google’s new operating system for extended reality devices. This ensures deep integration with Google services and a familiar Android-based experience.
2. High-Resolution Displays:
- Display Technology: Rumors suggest it will use 1.3-inch OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon) displays.
- Resolution: Each eye is expected to have a 4K resolution (3,840 x 3,552 pixels), offering incredibly sharp and detailed visuals.
- Refresh Rate: A 90Hz refresh rate is expected, providing smooth motion and reducing motion sickness.
- Brightness: Leaks indicate a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits, ensuring good visibility.
- Pancake Lenses: It will likely incorporate pancake lenses, which help to achieve a thinner and lighter design while maintaining a wide field of view and good visual clarity.4
3. Advanced Tracking and Interaction:
- Hand Tracking: The headset will support advanced hand tracking, allowing for intuitive, controller-free interactions with virtual objects and interfaces.5 This includes detection of pinches even when hands are in your lap.
- Eye Tracking: Expected features include eye tracking, which is crucial for features like foveated rendering (optimizing resolution only where you’re looking) and automatic interpupillary distance (IPD) adjustment for a comfortable and clear viewing experience.
- Gesture Recognition: Beyond basic hand tracking, it will likely support a range of complex gestures for navigation and control.
- Voice Control: Leveraging Google’s Gemini AI, voice commands will be a primary mode of interaction, enabling natural language processing and contextual understanding.6
- Controllers: While hand tracking is emphasized, the headset is also expected to be available with dedicated controllers for certain applications, especially gaming.7
4. Design and Ergonomics:
- Form Factor: It adopts a “goggles-style” look, similar to the Apple Vision Pro, but with an emphasis on comfort and weight distribution. Early hands-on impressions suggest it feels well-balanced and snug.
- Rigid Head Strap with Dial: Unlike some fabric straps, it features a rigid strap with a tightening dial for a secure and customized fit.
- Open-Peripheral Design (Optional Blockers): The design allows for an open peripheral view, great for AR use, with optional magnetic snap-on light blockers for fully immersive VR experiences.
- External Battery System: Information suggests an innovative tethered external battery pack. This helps to reduce the weight on the head and potentially allows for hot-swapping batteries for extended use.
5. Software and AI Integration:
- Android XR: As the first Android XR device, it will showcase the capabilities of Google’s new platform.8
- Gemini AI: Deep integration with Google’s Gemini AI will enable contextual understanding, real-time translations, intelligent assistance, and enhanced spatial computing experiences.9
- Google App Optimization: Core Google apps like Google Maps, YouTube, Google Photos, Gmail, Meet, and Chrome are expected to be optimized for the Android XR environment, offering immersive experiences.
- Multitasking: The Android XR platform on Project Moohan will enable powerful multitasking, allowing users to arrange multiple virtual screens and floating app windows in their physical space.10
6. Connectivity:
- Wi-Fi 6E/7: Expect high-speed wireless connectivity for low-latency streaming and data transfer.
- Bluetooth 5.2: For connecting peripherals and other devices.
How to Use Samsung Ballie: A Complete User Guide
The Samsung Ballie is an AI-powered rolling home robot designed to be your smart companion, home assistant, and even a mini projector. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set it up, control it, and maximize its features.
📦 Unboxing & Initial Setup
1. What’s in the Box?
✔ Ballie Robot (with built-in projector & camera)
✔ Wireless Charging Dock
✔ Mini Remote Control
✔ Cleaning Brush & User Manual
2. First-Time Setup
- Charge Ballie (place on dock for 2 hours).
- Download the “Samsung Ballie” app (iOS/Android).
- Connect to Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz supported).
- Pair with SmartThings (for home automation).
🎮 Controlling Ballie
1. Voice Commands (Bixby AI)
- “Hey Ballie, follow me” – Rolls alongside you.
- “Ballie, project my workout video” – Displays on wall.
- “Ballie, patrol the house” – Activates security mode.
2. Mobile App (Samsung Ballie App)
- Live Camera Feed – Check home remotely.
- Projection Controls – Adjust size/focus.
- Routine Settings – E.g., “Morning mode” (plays news).
3. Physical Remote
- Directional buttons (manual movement).
- Projector shortcut (quick-play content).
⚙️ Key Features & How to Use Them
1. Smart Home Control
- Works with SmartThings-compatible devices.
- Example:
- “Ballie, turn off the lights”
- “Ballie, set AC to 24°C”
2. Projector Mode
- Stream Netflix/YouTube (via phone mirroring).
- Fitness workouts (projects trainer on wall).
- Video calls (uses built-in camera).
3. Pet/Baby Monitoring
- Auto-follow pets (if enabled in app).
- Sends alerts if unusual activity detected.
4. Security Patrol
- “Ballie, guard the house” – Rolls around, records intrusions.
- Night vision mode (works in darkness).
🔋 Battery & Maintenance
- 4-5 hours per charge (docks automatically when low).
- Weekly cleaning (use included brush for wheels).
❓ Troubleshooting
Issue | Fix |
---|---|
Won’t turn on | Check dock connection |
Projector blurry | Wipe lens with microfiber cloth |
Voice commands fail | Re-train Bixby in app |
💡 Pro Tips
✔ Place dock in a central spot for better roaming.
✔ Use in low-light for best projector quality.
✔ Enable “Do Not Disturb” if you don’t want it patrolling at night.
⚡ Performance: Pros & Cons
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✅ Unique projector feature | ❌ Short battery life (needs frequent docking) |
✅ Great for smart home users | ❌ Limited third-party app support |
✅ Cute, pet-friendly design | ❌ Expensive ($1,500+) |
✅ Strong obstacle avoidance | ❌ No Alexa/Google Assistant (only Bixby) |
💵 Price & Alternatives
Device | Price | Best For |
---|---|---|
Samsung Ballie | $1,499 | AI + Smart Home + Projector |
Amazon Astro | $1,599 | Security patrols |
LG CLOi GuideBot | $2,000 | Stores/Public spaces |
EBO X Companion Robot | $799 | Pet monitoring |
Samsung Baillie Release Date in India
It seems there’s a slight confusion in the name. Samsung’s highly anticipated XR headset, developed in partnership with Google and running on Android XR, is codenamed “Project Moohan,” not “Samsung Baillie.”1 “Ballie” is the name of Samsung’s rolling AI robot.
Regarding the Samsung Project Moohan XR headset’s release date in India, here’s what we know:
- Global Launch: Samsung has confirmed that Project Moohan will launch globally in the second half of 2025. Google also confirmed at Google I/O 2025 that Samsung’s Project Moohan will be available for purchase “later this year.”2
- India Availability: While a specific India launch date hasn’t been announced yet, reports indicate that the headset is likely to come to India as well, either alongside or shortly after its global launch. Samsung generally brings its flagship devices to the Indian market.
So, while there’s no precise date for India, you can expect the Samsung Project Moohan XR headset to be available in India sometime in the latter half of 2025, following its global release. Stay tuned to Samsung’s official announcements for the most accurate information.
Samsung Baillie Price in India
Samsung has not announced the official price of Project Moohan in India, or anywhere else for that matter. The headset is slated for a global launch in the second half of 2025, and pricing details are typically revealed closer to the release date.
Estimated India Price (Speculative): If we convert that range to Indian Rupees, considering typical tech product pricing in India (which often includes import duties, taxes, and other factors), a rough estimation would put Samsung Project Moohan in the range of ₹1,25,000 to ₹1,70,000 INR or even higher.
Samsung Baillie Where to Buy
- Samsung India Online Store
- Amazon India / Flipkart (likely exclusive)
🏆 Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Ballie?
✅ YES if you:
✔ Want a futuristic smart home hub with a projector.
✔ Have pets/kids and need mobile monitoring.
✔ Are a Samsung SmartThings user.
❌ NO if you:
✖ Need long battery life (it docks often).
✖ Prefer Alexa/Google Assistant (Ballie uses Bixby).
✖ Want budget-friendly robotics.
Would you buy Ballie? Comment below! 👇