Amazon Discontinues Astro for Business as It Focuses on Home Robotics: What This Means for Dependent Care and Business Operations

Amazon has recently announced that it will be discontinuing its Astro robot aimed at businesses (Astro for Business) as of September 25. The company will be issuing full refunds for the robot purchases and providing an additional $300 credit to the accounts of affected organizations. This decision is part of Amazon’s commitment to focusing on delivering consumer robotics solutions for home use.

Astro was first introduced in September 2021 as a device that combined Alexa with a computer vision system to make life easier for users. Its functions were initially oriented towards caring for dependent people or pets, and it was initially targeted for home use. However, about a year ago, Amazon expanded the availability of Astro to companies in the United States for functions such as monitoring warehouses or touring facilities.

The robots will cease to function once September 25 arrives, and all personal data will be deleted from the devices. This move by Amazon shows that they are reevaluating their product offerings and focusing on what works best for their customers. It also highlights their dedication to constantly improving their products and services to meet the needs of their customers.

While this may be disappointing news for businesses who had invested in Astro, it’s important to note that Amazon is still committed to providing excellent customer service and support. They have already started working on new functionalities for the robot to enhance its capabilities and performance for domestic tasks, so there’s hope that they may bring back a version of Astro aimed at businesses in the future.