Amazon has announced the discontinuation of its Astro for Business security robot, targeting small- and medium-sized businesses, merely seven months post-launch. This decision is part of Amazon’s strategic pivot to focus more intensively on the residential version of Astro, which has been in the market since 2021.
In a communication shared with customers and employees, which was later obtained by TechCrunch, Amazon explained that the discontinuation was aimed at reallocating resources and energy towards enhancing the home version of Astro. The home version is known for features such as home security, pet detection, and a cargo bin that can handle up to 4.4 pounds.
An Amazon spokesperson stated, “We are fully committed to our vision of bringing world-class consumer robotics solutions to the home. 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. We’re excited about the in-home experiences we’re inventing for Astro, and look forward to sharing more in the future.”
From September 25, the Astro for Business robots will cease to operate, and Amazon is urging customers to utilize its recycling program for disposing of the robots, covering the shipping costs for the same.
The lack of a sufficient customer base for the business variant was hinted as a contributing factor to this decision, although specific numbers were not disclosed. The robots were originally marketed with a price tag of $2,350, accompanied by a main subscription plan, “Astro Secure,” costing $60 monthly, which included programmed routes management. Other optional subscriptions included Ring alarms and motion detectors for an additional $20 per month and a $99 per month service for human agent support and monitoring.
Amazon has also ceased charging for the Astro Secure subscription immediately and is offering a $300 credit to the affected businesses. This gesture is complemented by refunds for any pre-paid but unused subscription fees, aiming to alleviate some of the inconvenience caused by the discontinuation.
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This shift in strategy raises questions about the future landscape of commercial robotics and Amazon’s role in shaping it. The focus on home robotics suggests a strategic bet on consumer-facing technology, even as the company steps back from the business-oriented segment. – Kenneth
