Samsung Ballie – Sphere / Ball based computing … Sphero, Sony Rolly … #CES2020

Samsung’s concept video from CES for Ballie aims to “improve the quality of your “me time” and takes care of your loved ones and your home.”

I did not see a sphere or ball-based computing list out there, so here are other rolling computers that are either available now, or were in the past…


Adafruit 2019 3306

Adafruit 2019 3307

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Sphero, available now! BOLT, Mini, and SPRK+

Sphero has been inspiring the creators of tomorrow through creative learning and play since 2010. From its humble beginnings in Boulder, CO, Sphero has become the #1 robot in education, available in 40,000+ schools, clubs and institutions globally. With new offerings coming out all the time to help kids start, grow, and graduate with Sphero, our robots and products truly go #BeyondCode.


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Sony Rolly! 2007:

Rolly is an egg-shaped digital robotic music player made by Sony, combining music functions with robotic dancing. It has two wheels that allow it to rotate and spin, as well as two bands of colored LED light running around its edge and cup-like “wings” (or “arms” according to the Sony sonystyle USA website) which can open and close on either end, all of which can be synchronized to the music being played.

Pictured above, mine from 2008 (MAKE).

And here’s a video of Rolly in action.


For sphere / ball shaped computers, here are a couple modern ones.

Adafruit 2019 3309

The ZOTAC OI520 PLUS.


Winbot Overview Intelligence 160 10

The WINBOT E-ATX Chassis.


Know of others? Post up in the comments!


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2 Comments

  1. The Nexus Q!

  2. LG had a Rolling Bot demo a few years ago that looked similar to the Rollie.

    I think LaCie had a spherical external hard drive at one point too.

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