Amazon Shifts Focus to Household Robots, Discontinues Astro for Business

Amazon is discontinuing its Astro for Business security robot to focus on developing household robots. Customers will receive a US$300 credit and refunds for unused Astro Secure subscription fees as the business model shifts.


4 July 2024 – Amazon.com announced on Wednesday that it will discontinue its Astro for Business security robot, designed for small- and medium-sized businesses, to refocus its efforts on household robots. Launched initially for home use in 2021, Astro was later adapted for business purposes in November of the previous year, catering to sectors such as retail, manufacturing, and health and wellness.

An Amazon spokesperson explained the decision in an email to Reuters: “To accelerate our progress and ongoing research to make Astro the best in-home robot, we’ve made the decision to wind down support for Astro for Business.” The home version of Astro is intended to perform tasks like home monitoring, setting up routines and reminders, and playing music and TV shows while moving around the house.

Astro for Business, which retailed at $2,349.99 and was available exclusively in the U.S., was designed to assist customers in monitoring their businesses around the clock. However, the robots will cease to function as of September 25, according to a company email sent to customers and seen by Reuters.

To support affected customers, Amazon is offering a $300 credit towards a replacement solution for workplace monitoring. Additionally, customers will no longer be charged the Astro Secure subscription fee starting immediately, and any unused pre-paid fees will be refunded.

[source]

Author: Terry KS

Share This Post On