AMAZON has announced plans to do away with its $2,350 robot security guard just 10 months after its release.
The retail giant introduced Astro for Business roughly eight months ago as a security tool for small and medium-sized organizations.
Outfitted with a periscope camera and night vision tech, the robot could roll up and down preprogrammed routes, with an option to control it remotely through a corresponding app.
The company sent an email blast to employees and customers on Wednesday, notifying them that the devices will stop working on September 25.
In correspondences viewed by The U.S. Sun, Amazon’s Lindo St. Angel informed employees of a change in plans.
“I am increasingly convinced the progress we’re making in home robotics is where we should focus our resources,” wrote St. Angel, who serves as vice president of engineering at Lab126.
“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.”
The company sent a similar email to customers offering a total refund plus $300 credit on their Amazon accounts.
“On 9/25, your Astro for Business device will no longer function and your personal data will be deleted from the device,” the email read.
“We encourage you to recycle your Astro for Business device and accessories through the Amazon Recycling Program — Amazon covers the costs associated with shipping and recycling your devices and accessories.”
The company announced that it will no longer charge for subscriptions associated with Astro for Business.
These include Astro Secure, a feature that allowed the robot to patrol custom routes and alert users of an unidentified person.
Amazon is also ending support for Ring Protect Pro, which let Astro for Business owners sync the robot with Ring security cameras.
Footage will still be available in users’ Ring apps until their subscriptions end, the company said.
A consumer version of the robot was announced in September 2021 but progress appears to have stalled on that front.
The so-called “household robot” is still available through an invite-only preview under the Amazon Day1 Editions Program.
It will set buyers back $1,599, plus additional fees like a Ring Protect Pro subscription.
Sold under the tagline “Keep home closer,” the robot was announced in 2021 and is still only available to members of Amazon’s Day1 Editions Program.
Day1 products are available by invite only. Prospective users can request a product invitation for a chance to get early access and contribute feedback.
Unlike Astro for Business, the consumer version is intended to monitor a home.
It can operate in a single-floor, indoor environment, patrolling areas up to 3,500 sq ft.
Users can control the robot remotely and program custom routes, similar to Astro for Business.
It also comes equipped with Alexa integration, allowing it to “read you traffic news during rush hour or remind you to feed your pet.”
The robot can follow users with music or video playing from its speakers or deliver calls, messages, alarms, and more.
The company notes that it can carry a variety of accessories including a blood pressure monitor and a dog camera “that tosses treats to your pet.”
Purchase comes with a 30-day Ring Protect Pro subscription.
Users can also set “out of bounds” zones in the Astro app and turn off microphones, cameras, and motion “with one press of a button.”
St. Angel appeared to allude to developments on the horizon.
“Much like you all, I am a big believer in the long-term benefits robots will offer our customers, and advancements in generative AI make this only more exciting,” he wrote in the email.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but I am excited for this change and where it will lead us on the next stage of our journey.”
The customer email offered “an automatic invite to the Astro Day 1 Editions Program” for users looking to “continue your journey with Astro in your home.”
All signs point to the company shifting focus to the home version of the robot and possibly integrating a generative AI version of Alexa.
Amazon plans to unveil a more “conversational” version of the virtual assistant later this year amid intensifying competition from industry leaders like OpenAI.
Users will be able to unlock these advanced features with a monthly subscription fee.
The company aims for Alexa to be able to book restaurant reservations and deliver “a succinct summary of a trending news story,” among other complex tasks.
