Samsung Electronics expands Tizen OS to AI robot Ballie

South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. has applied its self-developed Tizen operating system (OS) to the artificial intelligence (AI) robot "Ballie"'.

This expansion marks a significant step beyond TVs, monitors, and home appliances, ushering Tizen into the next generation of AI devices.

Samsung announced on Sunday that it has integrated Tizen OS into its AI companion, Ballie, a ball-shaped robot unveiled earlier at CES 2024.

According to the company, Tizen OS goes beyond simple device connectivity, seamlessly intertwining OS, service, and content experiences.

Launched in 2015 as an open-source platform, Tizen now empowers Ballie to project a variety of content from "Samsung TV Plus", the digital art subscription platform "Art Store"', and gaming hub services through its eye-shaped lens screen.

"When connecting devices with Tizen OS, we've implemented robust information encryption, allowing users to enjoy a convenient smart home life without concerns about personal information leakage," said a Samsung official.

Developed and released by Samsung, Tizen OS prioritizes security, safeguarding user data from external hacking through the "Samsung Knox" solution and automatically blocking unauthorized malicious apps and phishing sites.

"The Tizen OS applied to Ballie can be applied not only to TVs, monitors, and home appliances but also to various products," said Kim Yong-jae, Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.

Write to Che-Yeon Kim at why29@hankyung.com