Amazon has announced that it will discontinue its security robot, Astro for Business, which was designed for small- and medium-sized businesses. The company is now shifting its focus to household robots . Originally launched in 2021 for household use, the canine-like Astro was introduced for business applications in November 2023. These robots cater to a variety of sectors including retail, manufacturing, and health and wellness.
How Amazon will support existing business customers
The Astro for Business robot, which was priced at $2,349.99 and available exclusively in the US, was designed to help customers monitor their businesses around the clock.
According to a report by Reuters, the company has sent an email to customers to notify them that the Astro for Business robots will cease to function from September 25.
Amazon has also announced a $300 credit for affected customers to support a replacement solution for the workplace.
Additionally, customers will no longer be charged the Astro Secure subscription fee and any unused prepaid fees will be refunded.
How the household versions of the Astro robot will work
Designed for in-home use, the Astro robot can handle various household tasks. It can function as a home security monitor, help set up routines and reminders, and even entertain users by playing music and TV shows while navigating the house on its wheels.
Beyond home security, the consumer version of Astro will also boast a wider range of functionalities. It can act as a messenger, carrying small items in its built-in cargo hold. To top it off, Astro will also interact with users through Amazon's popular Alexa voice assistant.
While an official release date for home users hasn't been announced, Amazon assures that feedback from its Day 1 Edition program has led to several improvements and new features for the consumer Astro.
What the company has to say
In an internal email to Amazon’s consumer robotics (seen by Geekwire) Lindo St. Angel, VP of Amazon Devices , wrote that he remains a “big believer” in the long-term benefits of robots for Amazon’s customers. He also noted that the advances in generative artificial intelligence even add to the potential opportunity.
St. Angel wrote: “I am increasingly convinced the progress we’re making in-home robotics is where we should focus our resources. To do this, and accelerate our progress further, we’ve made the decision to wind down the Astro for Business program to focus our efforts entirely on building the best consumer robotics products for the home.”
How Amazon will support existing business customers
The Astro for Business robot, which was priced at $2,349.99 and available exclusively in the US, was designed to help customers monitor their businesses around the clock.
According to a report by Reuters, the company has sent an email to customers to notify them that the Astro for Business robots will cease to function from September 25.
Amazon has also announced a $300 credit for affected customers to support a replacement solution for the workplace.
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Additionally, customers will no longer be charged the Astro Secure subscription fee and any unused prepaid fees will be refunded.
How the household versions of the Astro robot will work
Designed for in-home use, the Astro robot can handle various household tasks. It can function as a home security monitor, help set up routines and reminders, and even entertain users by playing music and TV shows while navigating the house on its wheels.
Beyond home security, the consumer version of Astro will also boast a wider range of functionalities. It can act as a messenger, carrying small items in its built-in cargo hold. To top it off, Astro will also interact with users through Amazon's popular Alexa voice assistant.
While an official release date for home users hasn't been announced, Amazon assures that feedback from its Day 1 Edition program has led to several improvements and new features for the consumer Astro.
What the company has to say
In an internal email to Amazon’s consumer robotics (seen by Geekwire) Lindo St. Angel, VP of Amazon Devices , wrote that he remains a “big believer” in the long-term benefits of robots for Amazon’s customers. He also noted that the advances in generative artificial intelligence even add to the potential opportunity.
St. Angel wrote: “I am increasingly convinced the progress we’re making in-home robotics is where we should focus our resources. To do this, and accelerate our progress further, we’ve made the decision to wind down the Astro for Business program to focus our efforts entirely on building the best consumer robotics products for the home.”
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