Amazon’s new Astro robot is creeping out some observers, who say it’s a potential invasion of privacy.
The Astro is a Day 1 Edition product, meaning it’s available via invite-only preorder, and will initially cost $1,000. It’s cute-looking and uses voice-recognition software, cameras, artificial intelligence, mapping technology, and voice- and face-recognition sensors as it zooms from room to room, capturing live video and learning your habits. The convenience comes with a catch, though.
“If you’re worried about a robot mapping out your house—how many of you have a Roomba? We all already have webcams all over of house, so our private lives are already streaming to the cloud. We’re all dependent on Amazon for everything. Alexa anyone? Bezos even knows what color socks you wear.”
Steve Tcherchian
Rolling Companion
Amazon says the Astro is meant to do everything from home monitoring to help you keep in touch with friends and family.
“Astro uses its digital eyes on its rotating screen, body movements, and expressive tones to communicate,” Charlie Tritschler, the vice president of products at Amazon, wrote on the company’s website.
“Its personality is also helpful—for example, it hangs out in places where it can be the most useful. For me, that’s in the kitchen, where I’m typically asking for a recipe or sending Astro to tell my family that dinner is ready.”
Steve Tcherchian, CISSP, PCI-ISA, PCIP is CEO of XYPRO Technology, a leading provider of mission-critical cybersecurity solutions that protect the digital backbone of industries worldwide. With over 20 years of experience, Steve brings a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and a customer-first approach that has transformed XYPRO into a top-tier cybersecurity provider, driving record growth and accelerated adoption of its threat detection and compliance solutions across diverse sectors.
A passionate advocate for cybersecurity, Steve is dedicated to demystifying the complexities of the industry and sharing actionable insights on global stages as a sought-after speaker. His contributions extend beyond the podium: as a former member of the ISSA CISO Advisory Council, the X9 Security Standards Committee, the Forbes Tech Council, and as a patent holder, Steve has shaped pivotal cybersecurity standards and innovations that safeguard the world’s most critical workloads.
