GoKawiilAmazon builds new home robot team after Astro's limited rollout
Amazon has assembled a new engineering team working on what internal job postings describe as a 'new-to-world robot product' for home use, according to a CNBC analysis. This follows the limited release of Astro, a $1,450 wheeled Alexa device launched in 2021 that shipped to only a few thousand invite-only customers and whose business version was discontinued within a year of its 2023 launch.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The move suggests Amazon has not abandoned founder Jeff Bezos's long-standing vision of a household robot despite Astro's narrow rollout, instead treating it as an early step toward a broader product. CEO Andy Jassy has framed robotics and AI as major long-term bets, echoing Amazon's past strategy with Alexa and Kindle of accepting early skepticism in pursuit of market advantage. Analyst forecasts of growth in the humanoid robot market could be part of what is drawing renewed investment, though Amazon has not detailed the new product's capabilities or timeline.
- Amazon has formed a new team developing an undisclosed home robot product.
- Astro, launched in 2021, remained invite-only and shipped to only a few thousand customers.
- Amazon's business version of Astro was discontinued less than a year after its 2023 release.
Source: cnbc.com — Annie Palmer, 2026-11-08
Published there as: “Amazon's Astro home robot has fans but looks destined for the 'trash heap.' Why it's trying again”
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