You cannot buy the Amazon Astro consumer robot in the UK, even if it is part of that technology giant’s vision for your home and has been on sale for a year. But Astro is a rapidly emerging beta product in the US and merits investigation.
Sales are by invitation only and, should you get one, it’s $1,000 (£814) a cutie, rising eventually to $1,499. And it can be cute. Astro can smile, dance and now – thanks to a new hardware peripheral – chuck treats to your cat or dog while you’re out.
Astro can check for open doors, intruders and appliances you forgot to turn off. If you leave it with an elderly or infirm family member, it can keep an eye on them. Despite the privacy concerns, there are many of us who would find that useful and comforting. To these ends, it can scan an entire floor, but like an old-school (proper) Dalek – well, you know, stairs.
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