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Amazon Shifts Focus from SMB Robot to Home Robot Development

Author

Alicia Shapiro
July 05, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

A scene showing Amazon's transition from SMB security robots to household robots. The image features the Amazon Astro robot in a home setting, highlighting its functionalities like monitoring and playing music. The background includes elements of a small business setup being phased out, emphasizing the shift in focus towards innovation and technological advancement in household robotics

Amazon Shifts Focus from SMB Robot to Home Robot Development

Amazon is discontinuing its security robot designed for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) just eight months after its introduction. The company announced it will shift its focus to developing household robots.

Transition to Household Robots:

  • Astro for Business: Launched in November 2023, Astro for Business was an extension of the Amazon Astro robot introduced in 2021 for household use. Priced at $2,349.99, it was available only in the United States.

  • Discontinuation: An Amazon spokesperson stated, “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.”

  • Support and Refunds: Astro for Business is no longer available for purchase, and existing devices will stop functioning on Sept. 25. Amazon will refund any purchases to the original payment method and will no longer charge subscription fees for Astro Secure, issuing refunds for any unused, prepaid fees.

Features and Capabilities

When launched, Astro for Business aimed to combine robotics, smart security, and artificial intelligence (AI) to help SMBs monitor their premises. It featured live view, remote control, and two-way talk functionalities, with intelligent motion and periscope cameras powered by AI technology, designed to safeguard inventory in spaces up to 5,000 square feet.

Focus on Home Robots

The original Astro robot, launched in September 2021, was designed for household use, monitoring the environment like a rolling Ring camera. It also offered music playback and home healthcare applications. Despite its initial introduction, Amazon has continued to explore and refine the ideal uses for Astro in the home setting.

Conclusion

Amazon’s decision to discontinue Astro for Business and focus on enhancing the Astro household robot underscores the company’s commitment to refining its in-home robotics technology. By concentrating on household applications, Amazon aims to deliver a more advanced and versatile robot for its customers.