Amazon.com has recently announced that it will be discontinuing its security robot, Astro for Business, for small- and medium-sized businesses as it shifts its focus towards household robotics products. The company initially launched the canine-like robot for household use in 2021 and introduced Astro for Business last November for a range of customers including retail, manufacturing, health, and wellness.
In an email statement, an Amazon spokesperson explained that the decision to wind down support for Astro for Business was made to accelerate the company’s progress and ongoing research to make Astro the best in-home robot. The home robot was designed to perform tasks such as home monitoring, setting up routines and reminders, and playing music and TV shows while rolling around the house.
Astro for Business was available in the U.S. at a price of $2,349.99 and was designed to enable customers to constantly surveil their businesses even after working hours. However, Amazon has announced that the robots will no longer function starting on Sept. 25, according to an email sent to customers.
As a resolution, Amazon will provide affected customers with a $300 credit that can be used to support a replacement solution for the workplace. In addition, customers will be refunded for any unused pre-paid Astro Secure fees. This decision marks a shift in Amazon’s focus towards improving its household robotic products.