Ring, the Amazon-owned home security company widely known for its doorbell cameras, is officially stepping into the robotics sector with the formation of a new division called Ring Robotics. Announced on Tuesday, the company debuted two distinct automated security devices: a flying indoor camera designed for residential properties and a rolling security robot built for commercial businesses. Both products aim to automate property monitoring, though they are likely to attract renewed debate surrounding domestic and workplace surveillance.
The home security drone, officially designated as the Ring Drone Cam, functions as a flying indoor security camera that patrols residences while owners are away. Engineered to integrate seamlessly with existing Ring alarm setups, the drone automatically flies to investigate specific locations when a sensor trips, such as a back door alarm. When not actively patrolling, the device rests inside a dedicated docking bay. It captures video in 2K resolution and features onboard LED lights to record footage in low-light environments and during nighttime hours. Users can operate the drone through Amazon’s Alexa Home Map or establish custom patrol schedules for extended absences or vacations.
Complementing the drone is the Ring Rover Cam, a roving wheeled robot engineered specifically for corporate and retail environments. The Rover streams continuous 4K video directly to the Ring mobile app and can automatically trigger recordings upon human detection. It incorporates an adjustable periscope camera designed to navigate around obstacles and includes two-way audio capabilities, allowing remote users to communicate directly with anyone spotted on the premises. The Rover is scheduled to launch on December 16 with a retail price of $1,000, while the home drone will follow on January 27 priced at $270.
Key takeaways
- Ring Robotics is launching a home security drone and an enterprise security robot.
- The Ring Drone Cam records in 2K with LED lights and integrates with Ring alarms.
- The Ring Rover Cam streams 4K video, features a periscope camera, and costs $1,000.
- Both devices use AI Pilot software and feature TAKE encryption for privacy.
Both new machines operate on a proprietary artificial intelligence platform called AI Pilot. According to the company, this system utilizes specialized vision models, local sensors, and cloud processing to map out and navigate houses or offices autonomously by exploring the spaces independently. The overarching goal, as described by Ring, is to provide constant property oversight comparable to a security guard who never clocks out.
This launch follows Amazon's previous attempts at domestic automated security, notably the Astro home robot introduced in 2021. Astro struggled to find a lasting market as a domestic helper and was eventually repositioned as a small business security tool before Amazon discontinued the hardware. Furthermore, privacy advocates have historically scrutinized Ring devices over concerns regarding private surveillance networks and potential police integration. To address potential apprehension, Ring states that both new robotic devices include privacy and security features built directly into their architecture. Video recordings are protected by TAKE, an acronym for Throw Away the Key Encryption, which Ring describes as its strongest default encryption method to date.
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