[CES 2024] Ballie vs. Q9: Samsung and LG unveil AI home robots

 

LAS VEGAS — “Hey, I used to have smartphones, now the kids will have robots!”

Anthony Gooran, who works for a robotics company in San Francisco, said this in excitement as he walked out of the booth that was featuring LG Electronics’ newest smart home AI agent known by its project name “Q9” at CES 2024 in Las Vegas on Wednesday, local time.

“This robot is pretty cool, connecting all the devices, and they will be especially useful in terms of safety because you can monitor your kids when you are out instead of having to call them. I think this one looks pretty mature.”

The approximately 30-centimeter tall white-colored robot that can dance and smile drew in dozens of visitors at the LG Electronics booth on the second day of CES 2024. They triggered a new kind of enthusiasm compared to seeing innovation in existing products like TVs or cars.

AI robots were in the limelight at CES 2024 as both LG and Samsung unveiled their latest “home agent” or “companion” at the show. Samsung’s Ballie, which debuted on the same stage four years ago, returned with some upgrades.

Both robots effectively deliver similar functions such as serving as a companion or personal assistant at home that monitors and controls connected home appliances while checking schedules and making phone calls. It can act as a caretaker by monitoring the kids or older relatives through the robot’s eyes, or the cameras.

When looking closer, however, the two robots are quite different.

The Q9 emphasizes connecting with the user which is why it is enabled to express its emotion through digital eyes on the screen. Samsung’s Ballie doesn’t have such a feature.

Its emotional connection gets a boost from its “two-wheeled legs” which can bounce up and down and sway left and right when expressing excitement. The legs also are functional and can pass over a bump using its joints, unlike today’s robotic vacuum that gets stuck anywhere that has a bump.

“We thought ‘sympathizing’ was important but did not think it could be achieved when it is rolling around on wheels. We decided to give it a walking form factor,” said Lyu Jae-cheol, head of home appliances business at LG Electronics.

Samsung Electronics’ R2D2-vibe robot Ballie is minus the face but plus the practicality.

Using its dual lens technology, Ballie can project a screen onto walls that are both near and far away, according to Samsung. It is also able the detect the angle of the user’s face to project a screen optimally.

The demonstration at the Samsung booth showed a user doing home training and watching a YouTube video. When having to lie down to do a certain posture, Ballie instantly projected the video right on the ceiling.

It can project recipes on the wall when cooking and can show you who’s outside the door when the doorbell rings.

Samsung said it is ultimately going toward an “intelligent robot” and that it is “opening possibilities with Ballie and the emergence of generative AI,” according to CEO and Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee.

There were some skeptical views too.

“I am intrigued but is not 100 percent convinced,” said Jerome Greogeois who works for Hyundai Motor.

“A more natural way of communication and interaction seems to be needed. What service it can bring in the future should be important too.”

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]