Why Did Amazon Build Astro? Exploring Amazon's Home Robot

The Challenges and Ambitions of Home Robotics

A former iRobot CEO reportedly remarked that true success in robotics came only after mastering the art of vacuum sales. This observation highlights a key truth: robots are inherently complex, and creating effective home robots presents unique difficulties.

Despite numerous attempts, few have replicated the success of robotic vacuums like the Roomba. However, Amazon has now entered the field, committing substantial resources to overcome these challenges.

Amazon has unveiled its first robot, named Astro, as part of its Day One Edition program. This program functions similarly to Kickstarter or Indiegogo, relying on customer preorders to validate product demand. Astro, sharing its name with a character from The Jetsons, a White Stripes song, and a baseball team, will have limited availability later this year.

It represents the most ambitious product launched through the Day One Edition, surpassing previous offerings like receipt printers and smart cuckoo clocks in both complexity and cost, with a price of $999.

Amazon anticipates the price will increase as the product evolves.

Astro’s Core Functions

The robot is designed to fulfill three primary roles:

• Home security: Providing surveillance and peace of mind.
• Remote monitoring of loved ones: Enabling check-ins and assistance.
• Mobile Alexa experience: Extending the functionality of Amazon’s voice assistant throughout the home.

Development of the robot began approximately four years ago, drawing on expertise from various Amazon departments.

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“We explored AI, computer vision, and processing power, and robotics emerged as a potential area for consumer applications,” explains Charlie Tritschler, Amazon VP, to TechCrunch. “Leveraging our robotics experience in fulfillment centers, we considered how to enhance convenience and security for homeowners. This led us to believe that robotics will be commonplace in homes within the next five to ten years.”

Amazon Robotics, acquired through the purchase of Kiva Systems in 2012, provided input. However, existing Amazon robotics are geared towards industrial applications and rapid package delivery. Consequently, Amazon developed many of Astro’s components internally, notably the SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) system for navigation.

The development of the SLAM system was particularly noteworthy, considering its complexity and iRobot’s decade-long refinement of similar technology. Despite acquiring Canvas, an autonomous warehouse cart startup in 2019, Amazon opted to build the SLAM system from scratch, integrating other in-house technologies like Ring’s security monitoring and Alexa.

During a hands-on experience, Astro exhibited a distinct personality. Its face, a screen displaying minimalist eyes, evokes comparisons to R2-D2, BB-8, or Wall-E. The eyes blink and move, though they lack the expressiveness of characters created by Anki’s animation team.

Occasional beeps and bloops further enhance this robotic persona. Astro responds to the wake word “Astro,” while more detailed interactions require “Alexa,” activating the familiar voice assistant.

Astro’s 10-inch touchscreen serves as an Echo Show display, enabling video streaming, video conferencing, and smart home control. The screen tilts 60 degrees and supports Amazon’s Visual ID facial recognition for personalized interactions.

The robot features dual speakers and operates quietly, unlike robotic vacuums. Amazon intentionally incorporated subtle sounds, similar to electric vehicles, to indicate its movement. Servo sounds are audible during turns.

A rear cargo bin, with an optional cupholder, can carry up to 4.4 pounds. A USB-C port allows for phone charging. Astro charges on a Roomba-like dock, taking less than an hour to fully recharge.

Astro is equipped with numerous sensors, including proximity sensors and two cameras. A five-megapixel RGB camera is integrated into the screen bezel. A retractable 12-megapixel RGB/IR camera extends from the top, enabling livestreaming and extending the robot’s view up to four feet.

After spending time with Astro and its development team, the technology is impressive. However, the level of consumer interest remains uncertain. Amazon has tested Astro in “thousands” of homes to address issues like getting stuck. The Day One program serves as a method for gauging customer demand.

“This is the first in a series of robots we’re developing,” says Tritschler. “This invite-only program ensures a positive experience for early adopters. Long-term, we envision a range of robotic products with varying price points and capabilities. Astro is a starting point to validate our work and ensure it delivers value to consumers. We’ll be eager to gather feedback as we begin shipping the product later this year.”