After less than eight months on the market, Amazon has discontinued its Astro security robot designed for business use. The high-end model was intended to serve as a security guard for spaces up to 5,000 square feet and was priced at $2,350. Despite its initial commitment to home robotics, GeekWire reported that Amazon has decided to pull the plug on Astro for Business.
The Astro for Business robot launched in November 2023 with various subscription types and tiers, including Ring Protect Pro, Astro Security, and Virtual Security Guard memberships. However, it did not last long on the market. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed that no employees were laid off as a result of discontinuing Astro for Business. Instead, the company plans to focus resources on its home robotics division.
The consumer version of Astro, launched in 2021, is still available by invitation only for $1,600. Panos Panay, a former Microsoft executive, leads Amazon’s Devices & Services division, which oversees consumer robotics work. While the home version of Astro does not serve as a complete replacement for a security guard, it can patrol your home and alert you to unfamiliar faces or sounds of intrusion. It also offers features such as following you with music, delivering messages, and setting timers. Many of these functions can be replicated by cheaper devices on the market.