Amazon canceled its Astro security robot for businesses, designed as a camera-equipped patrol device, seven months after its launch.
All the released wheeled robots will stop working by September 25 with Amazon issuing a full refund of $2,349.99 and a $300 credit.
Read Also : Amazon is Rolling Out Astro Robot for Businesses
Amazon to Refocus Robotics Ambition in Home Appliance
In an internal memo shared by The Verge, Amazon revealed that it would refocus its resources on developing home robotics. The company also hinted at the incoming successor of the Astro home robot.
"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," said Lindo St. Angel, vice president of hardware engineering.
Amazon also clarified that employees under the department would not be laid off but transferred to work on home robots.
Businesses that acquired the Astro robot have received a notice about the changes. All personal data logged on the device will be deleted while patrol videos recorded by the robot will still be available in the Ring app until it expires.
Amazon Hints Astro Home Robot Improvement
According to St. Angel, the company has been making significant progress in its home robotics development. The discontinuation of the business robot will further increase the manpower and resources needed for home appliances.
The Amazon Astro for Home robot is still listed as an invite-only Day 1 Edition product, making it an exclusive device years after its release. Currently, the robot is priced at $1,599.99 but an increase is likely if Amazon is working on its improvement.
Last year, reports revealed that the company is planning to integrate generative AI into its home robot. A conversational version of the robot that navigates the home could be the future of the Astro home robot.
Related Article : Amazon's Home Robot Astro May Soon Have ChatGPT-Like Intelligence
