Amazon launches robot to roll around house

AMAZON SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF SERVICES AND DEVICES, DAVID LIMP: "Astro, join me on stage."

Amazon on Tuesday summoned a household, dog-like robot called Astro during its fall product event, part of a new lineup of gadgets designed to make the e-commerce giant ever-present in consumers' homes.

LIMP: "Even in homes as 'Alexa-fied' as mine, there are still lots of things my home can't do because my devices are stationary. This robot changes all of that. With live view and the app, you can send it to check on specific rooms, things, people, even pets."

Astro, which has digital eyes on a rotating screen mounted on wheels, is designed to take up tasks such as home monitoring - equipped with a periscope cam that can expand the field of view. It also sets up routines and reminders, and can play TV shows and music while rolling around the house.

Amazon said the device is available at an introductory invite-only price of $999.99 and a regular price that's $450 more than that.

Among other launches in its latest lineup were a smart thermostat, smart display Echo Show 15 and a new health-tracking band called Halo View.

Amazon has launched a number of new gadgets every year, including sunglasses with voice control and an in-home drone, that have not become massive sellers.

Shares of Amazon were down with the rest of tech on Tuesday, with stock closing down more than two and a half percent.