Amazon working on high-end Echo, Alexa home robot
Amazon.com Inc is developing a higher quality version of the Echo speaker and ramping up work on its home robot.
The company plans to release the new Echo by next year, according to people familiar with the product. Prototypes of the cylindrical speaker are wider than the current Echo to squeeze in additional components including at least four tweeters, said the people, who requested anonymity to discuss an internal matter.
The robot has wheels and can be controlled by Alexa voice commands, they said.
Both devices are being developed by Amazon Lab126, a research and development arm based in California. The company’s hardware foray keeps customers wedded to its ecosystem — buying products from Amazon.com and using services like Prime Video and Prime Music.