amazon’s announcement of an \u2018Alexa with wheels\u2019 household robot has been met with a wave of ridicule and questions about the privacy concerns this technology presents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Astro is Amazon\u2019s first household robot and it can be remote-controlled by its owner when they are not at home to perform tasks or check on a pet or family members. The device can also detect \u2013 and alert owners to \u2013 unusual activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Amazon is selling Astro as more than just a robot, however, giving it a multitude of expressions to give the impression of having personality. During the new tech\u2019s unveiling, an Astro was asked to beatbox and it went through a range of \u2018expressions\u2019 as it played beatboxing sounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The device itself has a large screen that acts as its \u2018face\u2019, atop three wheels. It can be used to video chat, move objects, play music, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing obvious security concerns, Amazon insists the \u2018Alexa on wheels\u2019 can be programmed to stay out of certain areas and can also be set to a \u2018do not disturb\u2019 mode. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With an initial retail price of approximately $1,000, Amazon believes the device will be in every home in five to 10 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe talked about AI and processors getting more powerful, and inevitably robotics came up. And one of the discussions was: \u2018Does anyone here in this meeting think that in 5-10 years there won\u2019t be more robots in your home?\u2019\u201d<\/em> Amazon\u2019s vice president of product, Charlie Tritschler, told CNBC. \u201cAnd everyone was like, \u2018Well, yeah, of course.\u2019 It\u2019s like, \u2018Well, then, let\u2019s get going.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n An Astro in every home within 10 years doesn\u2019t seem too likely though judging by the reactions on social media to the tech announcement, with many mocking the odd-looking tech, and others bringing up privacy concerns activists have long argued about previous products utilizing the same technology, such as Amazon\u2019s Alexa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re screwed,\u201d<\/em> one Twitter user wrote<\/a> in reaction to the Amazon news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n