In September 2021, Amazon introduced Astro, a device that combined Alexa with a computer vision system to make life easier for users. The robot was initially targeted for home use and its functions were oriented towards caring for dependent people or pets.
A year later, Amazon expanded the availability of Astro to companies in the United States for functions such as monitoring warehouses or touring facilities. However, as of September 25, the company has announced that it will discontinue the version of its Astro robot aimed at businesses (Astro for Business) and will reimburse the amount invested in these devices to these organizations while maintaining the domestic version of the device.
The robots will cease to function once that date arrives, and all personal data will be deleted from the devices. Amazon has committed to delivering consumer robotics solutions for home use and is hinting at working on new functionalities for the robot to enhance its capabilities and performance for domestic tasks. The company is issuing full refunds for the robot purchases and providing an additional $300 credit to the accounts of affected organizations.