[CES Review] Adorable Companion Robot Samsung Electronics' 'Bolly'... 'Amazed' by Rapid Technological Growth

Samsung Electronics' 'Bolly' Spotlighted at This Year's CES
Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics Announce Upcoming Companion Robot Releases
Robots in Daily Life... Realized Through AI Technology
Attention on Potential Encounter with Evolved Humanoid Robots

The world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, CES 2024, held in Las Vegas, USA, concluded its schedule from the 9th to the 12th (local time). This year at CES, "Artificial Intelligence (AI)" emerged as a major keyword, drawing admiration for the faster-than-expected pace of technological advancement.

Samsung Electronics' AI-based companion robot 'Bolly' walking alongside a user /
[Photo by Samsung Electronics]

What made the speed of technological progress palpable was Samsung Electronics' AI-based companion robot, "Bolly." Samsung surprised attendees by unveiling Bolly at this event, attracting significant attention. Bolly, a yellow spherical robot the size of a soccer ball, garnered the most focus at Samsung Electronics' booth during CES due to its cute appearance and various functions.

This was not the first time Samsung Electronics revealed Bolly. After first introducing Bolly at CES 2020, they presented an upgraded version this year that learns user patterns and evolves. A Samsung Electronics executive who participated in the initial development of Bolly said, "Although I was involved in the development back then, I never imagined Bolly would evolve this much and meet visitors," adding, "It really makes me realize how quickly technology is advancing." Bolly is scheduled for release within this year.

LG Electronics also unveiled its household helper concept, the "Smart Home AI Agent," which combines AI and robotic technology, for the first time at this CES. Mass production is planned to begin in earnest early next year. This means the time is near when consumers will meet AI butlers in their daily lives. It also signifies the dawn of a full-fledged robot era where robots, previously used only in some industrial fields, enter the heart of human life.

An audience member conversing with the humanoid robot 'Aura' at the dome-shaped performance venue 'The Sphere' in Las Vegas, USA /
Photo by Kim Pyeonghwa

Looking ahead, the industry is highly interested in whether more advanced humanoid robots resembling humans can be encountered. Last September, the dome-shaped large performance venue "Sphere" installed in Las Vegas introduced the humanoid robot "Aura." Aura attracted significant attention by making eye contact with visitors, speaking to them, and engaging in fluent conversations. The advancement of such humanoid robots holds the potential to provide interactions increasingly similar to humans through technological progress and innovation.

During a press conference held at CES, Jang Deok-hyun, President of Samsung Electro-Mechanics, also predicted, "The era when humanoids integrated with AI, following mobile and mobility platforms, will be applied to everyday life and industry is rapidly approaching."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.