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With an ‘Alexa-on-wheels’, the American web giant confirms the rumors that have been circulating for years about its first robot for the home.
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The American web giant Amazon presented a new toy on Tuesday. After years of rumors, it is finally launching its first home robot: the Amazon Astro. It consists of a touchscreen on wheels, including a periscope to better look around and travels one meter per second, in all directions.
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According to Amazon, the robot – which is the size of a small dog – is multi-purpose. He can play music and deliver things to a specific family member. It can be used for video calls and follow you around the house. And he can check your house when you’re not home and check with his periscope if you’ve turned off the fire.
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999 dollar
The robot will be available later this year for $999. Anyone wishing to purchase one can do so by invitation only. According to device chief Dave Limp, it’s about more than an ‘Alexa-on-wheels’ (Amazon’s voice assistant, ed.), but the device has ‘a unique personality of its own’.
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Until now, Amazon’s robotics team has mainly focused on robots that had to deliver parcels as quickly as possible, but with Astro it is breaking new ground. The robot uses, among other things, artificial intelligence so that it does not bump into pets, furniture or housemates.
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Amazon has been criticized in the past for its ‘smart devices’ for eavesdropping on their users.
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