Amazon has announced that it will discontinue its security robot, Astro for Business, which was designed for small and medium-sized businesses, as the company shifts its focus to developing household robots.
The e-commerce giant initially launched the canine-like Astro robot for household use in 2021. Last November, Amazon expanded Astro’s application to business environments, targeting sectors such as retail, manufacturing, and health and wellness.
“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,” an Amazon spokesperson said, according Reuters.
Astro was designed to perform various tasks around the home, including home monitoring, setting up routines and reminders, and playing music and TV shows while navigating through the house.
Priced at $2,349.99, Astro for Business was available exclusively in the U.S., providing round-the-clock monitoring for business customers. However, the business-oriented version of Astro will cease to function from September 25, according to an email sent by Amazon to its customers and seen by Reuters.
To support affected customers, Amazon has announced a $300 credit, which can be used to find a replacement solution for their workplace needs.
