After lower than eight months, Amazon has discontinued the business version of its Astro security robot. GeekWire reported on Wednesday that regardless of being “absolutely dedicated” to its residence robotics division, the corporate has discontinued the higher-end mannequin that doubled as a safety guard for areas as massive as 5,000 sq. ft.
Amazon launched Astro for Enterprise in November 2023, pitching it as a office safety robotic. The $2,350 screen-on-wheels had an HD periscope and a tangled net of subscription varieties and tiers, together with Ring Defend Professional, Astro Safety and Digital Safety Guard memberships. All of the sudden, solely lasting about eight months doesn’t sound so stunning.
An Amazon spokesperson informed GeekWire that it hasn’t laid individuals off due to Astro for Enterprise’ demise, and the corporate plans to divert sources into its residence robotics work. The consumer version of Astro, launched in 2021, remains to be out there (invite-only) for $1,600. Panos Panay, the previous Microsoft Surface (and much more) guru, joined the corporate to head up its Devices & Services division final yr, which incorporates shopper robotics work.
Though Astro’s residence model isn’t a full-fledged safety guard substitute, it will possibly patrol your house and warn you if it sees somebody it doesn’t acknowledge or hears breaking glass or alarms. It could additionally do issues of sketchier worth, like comply with you round with music, ship messages to different individuals and set timers — most of which might be duplicated by gadgets that value a lot much less.
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