Ad Astro - To the Stars

The Current State of Home Robotics and the Challenges of Embodiment

Let's consider the absence of arms in many contemporary home robots. This is a recurring theme, evident in the designs of Jibo, Kuri, and now Astro. While Anki’s Cozmo possessed a rudimentary grasping mechanism, its functionality was limited to interacting with proprietary blocks.

Developing effective robotic arms – or mobile manipulators – presents significant hurdles. It’s a challenge that arises after demonstrating consumer interest in home robotics. Only then can substantial research and development be allocated to creating arms capable of performing tasks like dusting and organizing without frequent breakdowns. Arms may also signal a strategic point for potential startup acquisitions.

Amazon’s Astro: A Ground-Up Development

Amazon asserts that Astro’s creation didn’t rely on acquiring existing companies. A considerable amount of “ground up” development was necessary over a four-year period. Notably, this included the in-house development of a SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) system, enabling the robot to navigate its environment effectively.

While collaborating with Amazon Robotics, the company’s industrial automation division stemming from the 2012 Kiva Systems acquisition, technology from its autonomous cart system, Canvas, wasn’t integrated into Astro’s design.

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The comparison of Astro’s appearance to a tablet mounted on a vacuum canister is apt. This observation highlights a key aspect of the $1,000/$1,500 robot. Astro represents a convergence of Amazon’s hardware initiatives, encompassing Ring security and Echo Show functionalities.

The description of Astro as “Alexa on wheels” isn’t entirely inaccurate. It represents an incremental step toward more widespread home robotics. While many predict broader adoption within five, ten, or fifteen years, the immediate focus is on the necessary stepping stones. iRobot leverages home mapping from robotic vacuums, integrating it with voice assistants like Alexa or Google. Amazon, conversely, utilizes Alexa as its foundational element.

These represent robust foundations, considering that approximately a quarter of U.S. adults own a smart speaker, with nearly 70% of those users opting for Alexa. However, the transition from Echo to Astro remains substantial. Amazon’s track record, however, has understandably made some consumers cautious.

A brief hands-on experience with Astro revealed an impressive level of engineering. However, the $1,500 price point presents a significant obstacle (though potential cost reductions through scaling are anticipated). The build quality is high, and Astro effectively combines existing Amazon products with innovative solutions, such as the periscope camera.

Questions remain regarding whether a $1,500 robot can achieve mainstream adoption from a company specializing in consumer electronics. However, its significance may extend beyond widespread sales. While ubiquitous Astro ownership is unlikely, Amazon establishes a presence in the field. Unlike Samsung’s annual CES demonstrations of helper robots, Astro is a tangible product available for purchase.

Amazon’s announcement of Astro signifies a commercially available robot, albeit with a high price and limited initial availability. This, in itself, is a noteworthy achievement. Amazon’s hardware ambitions aren’t solely dependent on Astro’s success. The rollout will provide access to a large-scale home robotics trial, excluding vacuum cleaners.

As Amazon Device VP Charlie Tritschler explains, Astro marks the company’s initial foray into a broader world of home robotics. Amazon’s future consumer robotics offerings may differ significantly from Astro.

An Interview with Amazon Device VP Charlie Tritschler

What motivated Amazon to pursue this technology?

Amazon consistently prioritizes customer experience. We continually assess emerging technologies with the potential to enhance offerings. A few years ago, discussions centered on AI, computer vision, and processing power. Robotics emerged as a key topic. We considered how advancements in robotics could make it more convenient or provide peace of mind for consumers. Our experience with robotics in fulfillment centers informed this exploration, leading us to consider how to translate those capabilities into the home.

How does Astro differ from existing robotic vacuums?

Our beta testers identified three primary benefits: home monitoring (security and remote check-ins), remote care for loved ones, and enhanced Alexa functionality through intelligent mobility.

To what extent was Astro developed internally?

The majority of the robot was built from scratch. We benefited from insights from other Amazon divisions, particularly Amazon Robotics. However, the unique demands of the home environment – its variability and constant change – necessitated the creation of our own SLAM experience.

Were any acquisitions involved in Astro’s development?

No.

Could Amazon’s acquisition of Canvas have contributed to Astro’s autonomous capabilities?

We leverage internal tools and capabilities whenever appropriate. However, the specific requirements of a home robot demanded significant innovation.

What were the most significant challenges during Astro’s development?

Numerous technical hurdles required inventive solutions. The complexity of integrating various systems and their interdependencies presented substantial challenges. We often revisited and refined our approach throughout the development process.

What has hindered the widespread adoption of home robotics until now?

We adopted a different approach, focusing on delivering tangible value to the customer. We leveraged our robotics expertise and integrated existing Amazon assets like Alexa, Ring, and Amazon Kids.

When did you realize Astro was viable for market release?

We had a vision early on, but the pivotal moment was witnessing Astro autonomously navigate a room, gracefully avoiding obstacles. That confirmed the core technologies were achievable.

Were there any major setbacks during testing?

SLAM presented initial challenges. We encountered instances where the robot would stop unexpectedly, requiring further refinement.

Do you anticipate the price remaining consistent as Astro becomes more widely available?

It’s difficult to predict. We will consider customer feedback and leverage economies of scale to potentially reduce costs as sensor and robotics technologies become more affordable.

Do you foresee Astro becoming a mainstream product, or is it a stepping stone?

It’s the first in a series of robots. The invite-only program allows us to gather valuable feedback and ensure a positive experience for early adopters. We envision a broader range of consumer robotics products with varying price points and capabilities.

This concludes our discussion of Amazon’s $1,500 home robot, for the time being. We look forward to further evaluating the product in the near future.

Agtech and Manufacturing Robotics: Recent Funding Rounds

Turning to other areas of robotics, Iron Ox recently secured $53 million in Series C funding. The Bay Area firm operates a robotic greenhouse employing a “closed loop system” to minimize environmental impact, reducing water consumption by 90%. The funds will support manufacturing expansion, R&D, and hiring.

Burro, formerly Augean Robotics, received $10.9 million for its autonomous cart system, designed to alleviate the physical strain on agricultural workers. The “pop-up autonomy” technology addresses labor shortages and currently operates in over 90 robots, with plans to exceed 500 next year.

GrayMatter, founded in 2020, secured a $4.1 million seed round to develop robotic systems for surface finishing in manufacturing. The company aims to automate tedious and potentially harmful tasks, addressing labor shortages and improving productivity.

Sarcos, which announced its SPAC plans in April, began trading on Nasdaq under the symbol STRC. The company specializes in exoskeletons and robotics for industrial applications, intending to utilize the funds to launch its first systems by the end of next year.

Despite these advancements, a widespread home robotic uprising remains unlikely in the foreseeable future.