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I remember one clip in particular where someone had wiredChatGPTinto a robot dog, and the results were mixed.

Sure, the robot could suddenly answer your questions with confidence.

Samsung Ballie (2025 First Look Event)

You can subscribe to devices like Samsung’s new AI companion robot called Ballie.

But asking it to open a door or pick something up was still the same clumsy creature as before.

The intelligence was in the voice, not the motion.

Gemini is capable of understanding language and images and performing complex reasoning.

Samsung Ballie on the floor

I can see why some might be eager to see what a combination of the two could do.

You may as well open Gemini on a tablet and tape it to a skateboard.

Robot AI necessity

Ballie is an impressive piece of hardware.

It has dual projectors, depth sensors, LiDAR, multiple microphones, and a high-end camera setup.

It can follow you, return to its charger, and even record or stream footage.

But all of those things were innate to the hardware.

Gemini doesnt make Ballie project in higher resolution or roll faster.

It doesnt give Ballie arms or the ability to interact physically with objects.

AI can make achatbotsmarter and mimic your tone or finish your sentences in an email.

But when it comes to hardware, intelligence without capability hits a wall.

It’s not that Gemini brings nothing to the table.

Talking to Ballie about your schedule and getting a visual summary projected on the wall is a pleasing idea.

And Geminis ability to integrate multi-modal inputs could make those interactions smarter.

But again, the robots physical role in that process is still fuzzy.

Theres a reason people still get excited by videos of robots folding laundry or climbing stairs.

Its because movement and manipulating the environment are still rare and impressive feats.

Making more conversational, more responsive, and more human in its communication is a leap for Samsung.