Amazon recently announced that it will be discontinuing its Astro for Business robot, shifting its focus towards home robotics instead. The 20-pound wheeled robot, priced at $2,349.99, will stop working on September 25th, and Amazon will issue full refunds to customers along with a $300 credit. This move comes after Amazon’s VP of hardware engineering expressed a belief that the company’s progress in home robotics is where resources should be concentrated.
Internal Memo and Consumer Communication
An internal memo from Amazon’s Lindo St. Angel explained the decision to wind down the Astro for Business program to prioritize consumer robotics products for the home. Customers who purchased Astro for Business devices will receive full refunds along with a $300 credit for a replacement solution for their workplace. Additionally, customers will be automatically invited to the Astro Day 1 Editions Program if they wish to continue their journey with Astro at home.
Customers who have subscriptions to Astro Secure will see the benefits, such as custom patrols and support for Virtual Security Guard, come to an end on September 25th. However, Ring Protect Pro subscriptions are not affected by this change. Refunds will be issued for any unused, pre-paid subscription fees associated with the Ring account.
On September 25th, Astro for Business devices will cease to function, and personal data will be deleted. Amazon encourages customers to recycle their devices through the Amazon Recycling Program, with the company covering shipping and recycling costs. Additionally, any patrol or investigation video recordings made by Astro will remain accessible in the Ring app until video storage time expires.
Astro for Home: The Future of Amazon Robotics
While the Astro for Business has been discontinued, Amazon is hinting at a potential successor with the Astro for Home robot. The invite-only Day 1 Edition product has received positive attention, and leaked internal documents suggest a new version with advanced features like conversational generative AI and hazard detection capabilities.
Amazon’s decision to discontinue Astro for Business marks a shift in focus towards consumer robotics for the home. While the move may disappoint current business bot owners, the promise of innovative features in the Astro for Home robot offers a glimpse into the future of Amazon’s robotics technology. As the company continues to refine its product offerings, customers can expect exciting developments in the realm of home automation and robotics.
Leave a Reply