Amazon to wind down its Astro security robot

Amazon.com has said it would discontinue its security robot, Astro for Business, for small- and medium-sized businesses as it shifts its focus to household robots, reports Reuters.

The e-commerce giant initially launched the canine-like robot for household use in 2021. Astro for Business was launched 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 spokesperson told Reuters 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.

The Astro for Business robot, priced at $2,349.99, was available exclusively in the US and was introduced to help customers in monitoring their business round the clock.

The Astro for Business robots will not be functional from Sept. 25, according to an email seen by Reuters.