News

Samsung Unveils Multi-Functional AI Household Companion Robot

The innovative device is called Ballie, and can serve as a versatile pet feeder, projector, and smart home controller.

Published

3 years ago

February 20, 2024

Nour Nasir

Samsung

After seeing Samsung’s demonstration video of its AI robot, Ballie, viewers might initially feel perplexed by the concept rather than persuaded to buy. At first glance, the compact, yellow robot, resembling a yoga ball looks pretty cute. However, some viewers may start to feel uneasy after seeing it chase after household pets. Nonetheless, its capabilities to carry out pet feeding, serve as a portable projector, and take on smart home control duties suggest it could be a valuable addition to households, should it ever materialize in stores.

Samsung Electronics debuted the prototype of the robot back at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where it appeared as a small, tennis ball-sized device accompanying the company’s CEO, H.S. Kim. Back then, its interactions were limited to emitting pleasant chimes in response to certain commands. However, a newly upgraded version of the robot was recently showcased in a pre-CES 2024 video presentation.

The video showcased Ballie’s versatile projection capabilities, from entertaining pets with tailored videos to projecting video calls on various surfaces and assisting in fitness routines by displaying workout videos. Samsung has explained that Ballie has the ability to autonomously adjust projections based on distance and lighting conditions, touting it as the first projector capable of discerning human posture and facial orientations to optimize projection angles.

Also Read: UAE’s Yahsat Introduces Smartphone-To-Satellite Connectivity

Beyond its projection prowess, the video spotlighted Ballie’s role as a smart home assistant, managing household appliances such as lighting, air purifiers, and pet feeders while relaying user updates via text message. Its ability to follow users throughout the home gives the assistant droid and R2-D2-like quality, albeit without the iconic dome head and chirping soundtrack.

Despite the captivating presentation, Samsung has yet to offer information regarding Ballie’s availability and pricing. Unlike its live debut at CES 2020, the Korean tech giant opted for a video demonstration this time around.

Related Topics:Artificial Intelligence Robotics Samsung

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News

NEOPAY Wants To Follow Merchants Across Channels And Borders

A controlling 65% stake in noon payments would give NEOPAY access to marketplace sellers, online merchants and the payment flows they generate.

Published

1 day ago

October 5, 2026

Nour Nasir

neopay wants to follow merchants across channels and borders

It’s been a long time since checkouts were single defined places. A merchant might take payments at a physical register, on its own website and through an online marketplace, sometimes in more than one country. NEOPAY wants to follow those transactions wherever they happen.

The UAE payments company has entered into an agreement to acquire a 65% controlling stake in noon payments. NEOPAY already runs the acquiring infrastructure that lets merchants accept card payments, along with omnichannel acceptance and a merchant services platform. This new deal would add noon payments’ embedded payments platform, e-commerce gateway and merchant network across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. That would considerably expand both NEOPAY’s digital commerce capabilities and its regional reach.

For merchants, the attraction is a single provider for online and in-store payments, plus faster settlements, data and analytics, and value-added financial services.

“Payments should be simple, reliable, and built for the markets they serve,” said Faraz Khalid, CEO of noon. His counterpart at NEOPAY, Vibhor Mundhada, added: “We have built a strong payments business in the UAE, and our ambition is now to take that capability across the region”. The acquisition, Mundhada added, would “expand our footprint into Saudi Arabia and Egypt” while reinforcing NEOPAY’s position at home.

Also Read: In Kuwait, Your Surgeon Might Be Operating From Another Country

NEOPAY is also keen to point out potential payment volume increases. The company says noon payments’ integrations with marketplace sellers and online merchants create high transaction density in some of the region’s fastest-growing digital commerce segments. It also believes control of the business would give it access to those merchant relationships and payment flows, and speed up the rollout of alternative payment methods and installment options.

The combined roadmap targets faster merchant onboarding, better payment performance, tighter fraud controls and embedded financial services. The deal could also strengthen cross-border payments and settlement along key regional commerce corridors.