The answer is yes, but not like the one in the ad. In the picture of the Persil S&M below the purple "disc" on the bottle is actually a dosing ball. Earlier Persil came with a small cup (rather like an egg cup) which came fitted over the screw cap, this was removed, liquid poured in, and cup/liquid placed in the (FL) washer
When it first appeared, I bought a bottle several months ago, with the clear and white mixed-plastic dosing cup.
I used the Ariel dosing device with Aldi's Almat liquid, filled it to a level mark, then placed it on the counter-top as I loaded the washing machine. I turned round to discover that the liquid had leaked out of it, onto the work surface.
Close investigation revealed that the white plastic 'level-mark fingers' were not properly sealed to the clear plastic. Flexing the plastic caused the fingers to pop out of the surrounding clear plastic. These protruding fingers could snag delicate clothing.
Find These Dosing Balls or Caps Fine With Liquid Detergents
Gels OTOH are a different matter when it comes to front loaders that use puny amounts of water. In the Lavamat for instance well past five or more minutes into the wash you can see gel still inside the cap, often in decent amounts. Now in the Miele which uses a nice healthy five gallons in normal washes no such problem exists.
This slogan has also been used for Ariel "Futur" compact powders that came with a dosing device designed to put into the drum as well.
Until 1986 when AEG intoduced their first line of Ökolavamats which had a valve at the outer tub to prevent detergent laden water from going down the sump unused, I think up to 20% of detergent has been wasted.
Within a few years almost every other washer on the market had a similar solution to prevent detergent loss and detergent manufacturers soon adjusted their dosing recommendations to the new conditions as well.
However some washers for some reason make a quick drain at the commence of a cycle so it still seems to be a safe bet for liquids to use a dosing ball.
gel is a gimmick. What a lot of work to dose the machine, pop the cap off , set it down upright, flip the bottle over, pop the lid off, lift and pour the gel , aiming into the cap, shut the lid, turn the bottle back over, then put the cap in the washer. 9 steps as compared to lift the lid, scoop the powder, put in drawer, put scoop back in box -4 steps.