(Reuters) – Amazon.com said on Wednesday it has decided to discontinue its security robot, Astro for Business, for small- and medium-sized businesses as it shifts focus to household robotics products.
Amazon initially launched the canine-like robot for household use in 2021 and launched Astro for Business last November for a range of customers including retail, manufacturing, 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 spokeperson said in an emailed statement.
The home robot was designed to take up tasks such as home monitoring, setting up routines and reminders, and play music and TV shows while rolling around the house.
Astro for Business, which was only available in the U.S. at $2,349.99, was introduced to enable customers to surveillance their business constantly, even after working hours.
The robots will no longer function starting on Sept. 25, according to an email sent to customers seen by Reuters.
In the email, Amazon announced a $300 credit to affected customers, which can be used to support a replacement solution for the workplace.
Additionally, customers will be refunded for any unused, pre-paid Astro Secure fees.
(Reporting by Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru and Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Alan Barona)
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