Amazon is Bricking its Astro Business Robots Less Than a Year After Launch

Amazon is ending support for its Astro for Business robots less than a year after their launch. The 20-pound, camera-equipped patrol bots will cease functioning on September 25th, and Amazon will automatically issue full refunds of $2,349.99, along with a $300 credit, to customers.

Focus on Home Robotics

Despite the initial excitement around Astro for Business, Amazon is shifting its focus to home robotics. In an internal memo, Lindo St. Angel, Amazon's VP of Hardware Engineering, expressed confidence in the company's home robotics progress. "I am increasingly convinced the progress we’re making in home robotics is where we should focus our resources," he stated.

Amazon provided The Verge with a statement suggesting that a successor to Astro for Home might be on the horizon. "We are fully committed to our vision of bringing world-class consumer robotics solutions to the home," the statement read. "We’ve made the decision to wind down support for Astro for Business to accelerate our progress in making Astro the best in-home robot."

Customer Transition and Recycling Program

Amazon isn't revealing how many Astro for Business units were sold since the launch in November 2023, but it has assured customers that they will receive full refunds. Additionally, a $300 credit will be issued to support replacement solutions for their workplaces. Amazon is also offering an automatic invite to the Astro Day 1 Editions Program for those interested in continuing with Astro in their homes.

To facilitate the transition, Amazon is providing a free shipping label for its recycling program. "We encourage you to recycle your Astro for Business device and accessories through the Amazon Recycling Program," wrote Amazon spokesperson Courtney Ramirez. However, it is unfortunate that these robots cannot be repurposed for home use.

Official Statements and Internal Communications

Below is the full internal memo from Lindo St. Angel, along with the emails sent to Astro for Business customers:

Internal Memo from Lindo St. Angel

From: Lindo St. AngelTo: CoRo orgSubject: Update on Astro for Business

Team,

It’s now been a year since CoRo moved into my organization, and it’s been a rewarding experience learning about the team and the business. I have tremendous respect for this team, what you’ve built for our customers, and your mission to deliver world-class consumer robotics solutions.

Much like you all, I am a big believer in the long-term benefits robots will offer our customers, and advancements in generative AI make this only more exciting. I am increasingly convinced the progress we’re making in home robotics is where we should focus our resources. To do this, and accelerate our progress further, we’ve made the decision to wind down the Astro for Business program to focus our efforts entirely on building the best consumer robotics products for the home.

There’s a lot of work to be done, but I am excited for this change and where it will lead us on the next stage of our journey. If you have any questions about this shift and how it pertains to your role, please reach out to your manager.

Lindo

Email to Astro for Business Customers

Subject: An important message about Astro for Business

Dear Astro for Business customer,

At Amazon, we seek to invent new solutions like Astro for Business to help serve our customers. While we are proud of what we’ve built, we’ve made the decision to end support for Astro for Business to put our focus on making Astro the best robot for the home.

In the coming weeks, Amazon will fully refund all Astro for Business device purchases to the original payment method. If your original payment method is no longer on file or is expired, we will issue a credit to your Amazon account equal to the amount you paid. You do not need to take any additional steps to receive your refund.

We are also adding a $300 credit to your Amazon account to help support a replacement solution for your workplace, as well as issuing you an automatic invite to the Astro Day 1 Editions Program if you’d like to continue your journey with Astro in your home.

What this means for you:

On 9/25, your Astro for Business device will no longer function and your personal data will be deleted from the device. Any patrol or investigation videos recorded by Astro will still be available in your Ring app until your video storage time expires or your Ring Protect subscription ends.

We encourage you to recycle your Astro for Business device and accessories through the Amazon Recycling Program—Amazon covers the costs associated with shipping and recycling your devices and accessories. Find more information about the Amazon Recycling Program and get your free shipping label by clicking the link: Amazon Recycling Program.

If you’re an Astro Secure subscriber:

On 9/25, we will discontinue Astro Secure, and your subscription benefits will automatically end. You will no longer be charged any subscription fees for Astro Secure beginning 7/3 and will receive a refund in the coming days for any unused, pre-paid subscription fees to the payment method associated with your Ring account.

If you have any questions, please reach out to customer service for additional information. Thank you for being an Amazon customer.

Sincerely,The Astro for Business team

Email to Astro Secure Subscribers

Subject: An important message about your Astro Secure subscription

Dear Astro Secure customer,

We are writing to inform you about an important change to your Astro Secure subscription. On 9/25, we will end support for Astro Secure and benefits like custom patrols, direct investigations of triggered Ring Alarm sensors, and support for Virtual Security Guard will no longer be available on Astro. Your Ring Protect Pro subscription is not impacted.

You will no longer be charged any subscription fees for Astro Secure beginning 7/3 and will receive a refund in the coming days for any unused, pre-paid subscription fees to the payment method associated with your Ring account.

If you have any questions, please reach out to customer service for additional information. Thank you for being an Amazon customer.

The Future of Amazon's Home Robots

The Amazon Astro for Home robot remains an invite-only Day 1 Edition product, with its price recently increased to $1,599.99. Leaked internal documents suggest that a new version with advanced conversational generative AI might be in the works. This new version could potentially recognize hazards in the home and engage in detailed dialogues about what it observes.

Amazon's pivot from business to home robotics signals a significant shift in strategy. While the discontinuation of Astro for Business is disappointing for some, the focus on enhancing home robotics could lead to more innovative and useful products for consumers in the future.

Stay tuned to Kushal Bharat Tech News for the latest updates on Amazon's robotics ventures and other tech innovations.

Amazon's journey in the robotics space is far from over, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for its consumer robotics division.