Amazon Discontinues AstroforBusiness Security Robot Shortly after Launch

TapTechNews July 4th news, less than 8 months after its launch, Amazon announced the discontinuation of the commercial version of its Astro security robot.

Amazon launched AstroforBusiness in November 2023, positioning it as a workplace security robot, with a price of 2349.99 US dollars (TapTechNews note: currently about 17,129 Chinese yuan).

The robot can move autonomously or via a remote control, and is also equipped with a high-definition periscope camera with night vision function, providing all-weather real-time video monitoring and two-way communication capabilities. In addition to the robot, Amazon also offers three different subscription services to help enterprises monitor their facilities.

An Amazon spokesperson said, the company did not lay off employees due to the discontinuation of AstroforBusiness and plans to shift resources to home robot work. The consumer version of Astro was launched in 2021 and is still sold at a price of 1600 US dollars (currently about 11,662 Chinese yuan) (for invited customers only).

It is worth mentioning that the former Microsoft Surface head, Panos Panay (Brother PP), joined Amazon last year to lead the company's devices and services division, which includes consumer robots.