Ring Unveils Indoor Security Drone, Patrol Robot
Is this encrypted security that goes where fixed cameras can't or mobile spies violating priavcy inside homes?
Above: Amazon Ring cameras for sale at a store in Miami, Fla., on Feb. 16. Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The Facts
- Amazon-owned company Ring on Tuesday announced a product category called Ring Robotics, which will open with two mobile security devices; the Ring Drone Cam, built to fly inside homes, and the wheeled Ring Rover Cam, designed to patrol businesses.
- The Ring Drone Cam, priced at $249.99, records 2K video, has LED lights for recording in low light, weighs about 165 grams and has an eight to 10-minute battery life. Ring said it will ship the product from Jan. 27, pending authorization from the Federal Communications Commission.
- The $999.99 Ring Rover Cam, designed for business use, begins shipping Dec. 16. The wheeled robot has a 30-minute battery life, records 4K video, has an extendable periscope camera, a siren and two-way audio, and can patrol about 5,000 square feet on a single floor.
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The Spin
Pro-industry narrative
Prior cameras had too many coverage gaps, so these drones and rovers, which actually approach the disturbance in your home, are a vast improvement. Noisy propellers, bright light towers and blaring sirens also mean these bots announce themselves, deterring intruders. With the new default encryption and owner control, this is a smart security solution.
Industry-critical narrative
A company that already had to fork out millions over employees snooping through customer videos has not earned the right to fly cameras through living rooms. Mapping every floor plan and streaming footage to the cloud builds a tempting trove for both hackers and unethical police, no matter how slick the encryption branding sounds.
