TL;DR:
- Amazon introduces Astro for Business, repurposing its home robot Astro for corporate security needs.
- Astro for Business offers enhanced security features, including multiple monitoring routes and sound detection capabilities.
- The base price for Astro for Business starts at $2,349.99, with additional subscription costs for advanced features.
- Amazon provides a four-month trial period for Ring Protect Pro and Astro Secure, targeting U.S. customers.
- The move reflects Amazon’s adaptability and aims to unlock Astro’s potential in the market.
Main AI News:
In a strategic move to pivot its home robot Astro towards the business sector, Amazon has unveiled Astro for Business, targeting small- and medium-sized enterprises seeking advanced security solutions. This initiative acknowledges the inherent challenges in the home robotics market, signaling Amazon’s agility in adapting to evolving market demands.
Astro for Business builds upon the existing Astro platform, equipping it with enhanced features tailored to the needs of corporate clients. Notably, it allows for the creation of multiple security monitoring routes, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Furthermore, Astro for Business is designed to detect critical situations by responding to sounds such as smoke and carbon monoxide alarms or glass breaking, thus enhancing its security capabilities.
Anthony Robson, Head of Product for Amazon Astro, emphasized the rationale behind this move, stating, “[T]raditional security solutions can be too static or expensive for what businesses need. We think Astro for Business can help with that.”
While the potential benefits are evident, it’s essential to note that Astro for Business does come at a price. The base cost starts at $2,349.99, which, when considering the full range of features, necessitates additional subscription plans. To access features like video history storage and synchronization with Ring alarms and motion detectors, customers must subscribe to Ring Protect Pro at $20 per month. Astro Secure, which encompasses Astro’s patrolling and alerting capabilities, comes at an additional cost of $60 per month. Moreover, human agent support and monitoring require subscriptions to both Ring Protect Pro and Astro Secure, amounting to $99 per month.
It’s worth mentioning that Astro for Business is currently exclusively available in the United States. However, as a gesture to entice potential customers, Amazon offers a four-month trial of Ring Protect Pro and Astro Secure. Despite this trial period, the overall cost implications for businesses should not be underestimated.
Astro for Business appears to be Amazon’s attempt to maximize the value of Astro, a product that has maintained an air of mystery since its unveiling approximately two years ago. The absence of Astro from Amazon’s recent annual devices and services showcase further underscores the company’s ongoing exploration of its potential.
As my colleague Haje aptly put it, “Even Amazon can’t quite figure out what Astro is for.” However, with Astro for Business, Amazon aims to chart a new course for its home robot, providing businesses with a powerful security solution that showcases its adaptability in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
Conclusion:
Amazon’s pivot of Astro for Business signifies the company’s commitment to meeting evolving market demands. By repurposing its home robot for corporate security, Amazon showcases its adaptability and readiness to cater to the specific needs of small- and medium-sized businesses. This move highlights the company’s ability to leverage its existing technology to tap into new market segments, potentially redefining the landscape of security solutions for businesses.
