Amazon will destroy its $2,350 Astro robot just 10 months after its launch
Amazon will discontinue all Astro for Business robots on September 25. The company first launched the robot about eight months ago as a security device for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) for $2,350, but the device will soon become the latest high-profile product on Amazon’s list of failed products.
Amazon Astro announced in September 2021 as a home robot; that version of the device is still available for $1,600, Preview by invitation only.
In November, Amazon pivoted Astro to SMBs. But as first reported by GeekWireAmazon emailed Astro for Business employees and customers on Wednesday, announcing that the devices would be discontinued on September 25. At the time, Amazon’s email to customers read: “Your personal data will be deleted from the device. Any patrol or investigation video recorded by Astro will remain available in your Ring app until your video retention period expires or your Ring Protect subscription ends.” According to The VergeAdditional email:
Starting this week, Amazon will no longer charge users for Astro for Business-related subscriptions, such as Astro Secure, which lets robots patrol businesses via custom routes, or Ring Protect Pro, which lets Astro for Business owners store video history and sync the robot with Ring devices.
Amazon said it will refund customers $2,350 and give them a $300 Amazon credit. It also said it will refund unused prepaid subscription fees.
Amazon declined to share how many robots it has sold, but it’s unfortunate to see such a complex, expensive piece of technology become obsolete in less than a year. Amazon hasn’t shared any further uses for the devices, and spokesperson Courtney Ramirez told The Verge that the Astro for Business can’t be used as a home robot. Amazon’s email to customers encourages owners to recycle the Astro for Business through Amazon’s recycling program, with Amazon covering the costs.
Astro slow take off
Amazon introduced Astro in late 2021, but it won’t be available to the public until 2024. When Amazon released Astro for SMBs, it seemed like they found a new niche for the product. A May 2023 report from Business insider Amazon has chosen to release Astro for Business instead of “internal plans to release a lower-cost model” to consumers in 2022, the company said.
Astro for Business can autonomously patrol spaces up to 5,000 square feet with HD periscope and night vision, it can carry small devices, and of course, it can be controlled by Amazon Alexa. Since its release, we’ve learned about how terrible Alexa is. financial difficulties and saw David Limp, who headed up the Astro project as Amazon’s senior vice president of devices and services, Get off Amazonwhile his division suffered notable layoffs(An Amazon representative told GeekWire that the closure of Astro for Business will not result in layoffs, as employees will instead begin working on an at-home version of the robot.)
The Future of Astro
According to Amazon’s email, the company still wants to release a home version of Astro, which may come as a surprise to many, as there has been no indication of a home version since Amazon announced Astro years ago.
In May 2023, an Amazon representative told Insider that the company was eyeing the potential of AI for Astro. It’s possible that Amazon hopes to one day release Astro to consumers with AI-generated version of Alexa (expected this year with a subscription fee). In May 2023, Insider cited internal documents that said there had been discussions about adding “intelligence and conversational interfaces” to Astro.
But considering it took Amazon over two and a half years (and counting) and reported With the labor of over 800 people to bring Astro to the masses, coupled with the sudden demise of the enterprise version, there are many reasons to be hesitant about paying the high price and any subscription fees for Astro for consumers—if it ever launches. Early adopters may find themselves in the same frustrating position as the SMBs who bought Astro for Business.
Astro’s development comes at a tumultuous time for Amazon’s device business as the company seeks to turn Alexa into a competitive and, importantly, profitable AI assistant. In June, Reuters Amazon’s top management has told employees that 2024 is a “must-win” year for Alexa, according to reports. Some analysts Investment in Alexa is expected to decline further if the paid plan fails.
Amazon’s Astro home robot faces a difficult road ahead of any potential release or consumer demand. Meanwhile, the version that actually hits the market is headed to a graveyard filled with other dead Amazon products—like Just go out, Amazon Light, Fire Phone, Dash buttonand Amazon Smart Oven.
This story originally appeared on Ars Engineering.
