On Wednesday, Amazon.com announced plans to discontinue its security robot, Astro for Business, intended for small and medium-sized businesses. This decision aligns with the company’s new emphasis on crafting household robots.
The e-commerce giant initially launched the canine-like robot for household use in 2021. Astro for Business was launched last November for a range of customers including retail, manufacturing, health, and wellness.
“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,” an Amazon spokesperson told Reuters in an emailed statement.
The home robot was designed to take up tasks such as home monitoring, setting up routines and reminders, and playing music and TV shows while rolling around the house. The Astro for Business robot, priced at $2,349.99, was available exclusively in the U.S. and was introduced to help customers monitor their business round the clock.
This move comes as Amazon continues to focus on its broader strategy to dominate the smart home market. Recently, Amazon has been making significant strides in artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance its suite of smart home devices. In addition to discontinuing Astro for Business, Amazon announced an upgrade to its Alexa virtual assistant, incorporating more advanced natural language processing capabilities to improve user interactions.
The company’s decision to wind down Astro for Business also aligns with its recent emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency. Amazon has introduced new energy-saving features across its device lineup, including smart thermostats and energy dashboards, which help users monitor and reduce their energy consumption.
Furthermore, Amazon’s investment in expanding its Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure continues to support the development of more sophisticated home automation technologies. The integration of AWS’s powerful cloud computing capabilities with home devices like Astro is expected to drive innovation and create more seamless and intelligent smart home ecosystems.
As Amazon continues to innovate in the smart home space, customers can expect more advanced and integrated solutions designed to enhance convenience, security, and energy efficiency in their homes. The company’s focus on household robotics signifies its commitment to shaping the future of home automation and maintaining its leadership in the market.
