Amazon's Astro robot is a curiosity. When we went hands-on with it, we found a lot to like, but its usefulness is admittedly limited. Its best feature, a free-roaming camera, is what makes its new job so appealing: security for businesses. But Amazon Astro for Business will cost quite a bit more.
The consumer version debuted at an invite-only $999 price and now stands at $1,599. A free-roaming camera is appealing if you're concerned about security in your home when you're away or sleeping. But without arms, it's far from The Jetsons' Rosie. The best you can do is put drinks in its carrier and tell it to deliver them.
On the other hand, Astro could be far more useful in a business setting. Anthony Robson, head of product for Amazon Astro, says "security continues to be a headache for business owners, [who] faced losses of nearly $100 billion in 2022, according to National Retail Federation stats.
"We think Astro for Business can help with that," Robson says. "We have been testing Astro in a variety of businesses and have seen firsthand how Astro's intelligent motion helped provide visibility on blind spots and areas that existing stationary cameras couldn't see, giving business owners peace of mind because their inventory and property are protected, even when they aren't there."
That's why the company launched Astro for Business today. This version of Astro costs $2,349.99, and offers three subscriptions:
- Ring Protect Pro: Subscribing to Ring Protect Pro lets customers save Astro for Business video history for up to 180 days and sync Astro for Business with Ring Alarm to link Ring Motion Detectors and window and door Ring Alarm Contact Sensors for alerts when a Ring Alarm is triggered.
- Astro Secure: A new subscription lets customers create multiple security monitoring routes tailored to their Business, with specific viewpoints and frequencies. Astro can then patrol autonomously and send customers smart alerts when it hears smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms or glass breaking. With a synced Ring Alarm, Astro can also move autonomously to triggered sensors to investigate.
- Virtual Security Guard: Adding a Virtual Security Guard subscription lets Rapid Response agents respond when Astro is in Home or Away mode. For example, if Astro detects an unrecognized person, hears the sound of glass breaking or a smoke or CO alarm, or receives an alert that a Ring Alarm sensor has been triggered, agents are alerted. The agents can then initiate Astro's live view and remotely navigate the device to investigate further, and if needed, call emergency services.
Customers who buy Astro for Business also get a free, four-month trial of Ring Protect Pro and Astro Secure. Like the consumer version, Astro for Business has an HD periscope camera, night vision, 2/7 live view, and two-way talk.
This version of Astro did get one notable improvement: it can map a much larger space than the consumer robot, up to 5,000 square feet. It's a natural security system, though don't expect it to actually do anything about intruders beyond alerting your security provider.
Astro for Business is available today directly from Amazon. And at over $2,000, you at least can get Prime shipping.