Amazon has introduced a series of new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered features and 4K resolution camera products for its Ring home security ecosystem, according to an event held on Tuesday. The updates include advanced facial recognition capabilities, a lost pet location system, and enhanced imaging technology across new hardware.
Among the key announcements was "Familiar Faces," an AI-driven feature designed to identify known individuals. This system permits the enrollment of specific faces, enabling Ring devices to generate alerts upon recognizing either familiar or unfamiliar persons. According to an Amazon blog post, the feature aims to "empower customers to reduce notifications triggered by familiar people's routine activities" and streamline person detection. Ring founder Jamie Siminoff stated at the event, "Equally important is that if someone you don't recognize is lingering, you'll know immediately [they're] unfamiliar."
The new features also include "Alexa+ Greetings," a smart doorbell assistant that integrates with Familiar Faces. This system allows for personalized interactions with visitors, manages deliveries, and identifies the purpose of visits to inform residents. Additionally, "Search Party" was revealed, leveraging the network of Ring cameras to assist in locating lost pets. When a pet is registered as lost, neighboring Ring users can receive a description and report sightings, with AI delivering potential matches. Amazon stated that users maintain control over their privacy and can opt out of sharing information.
Alongside the AI features, Ring introduced its first 4K product line, incorporating "Retinal Vision," a new imaging technology intended to provide clearer video. The "Retinal Tuning" function continuously optimizes camera settings for picture quality. The new lineup includes Ring Retinal 2K devices such as the Indoor Cam Plus ($59.99) and Wired Doorbell Plus ($179.99). The 4K offerings comprise the Ring Wired Doorbell Pro ($249.99), Outdoor Cam Pro ($199.99), Spotlight Cam Pro ($249.99), Floodlight Cam Pro ($279.99), and Wired Doorbell Elite ($499.99). These devices are available for pre-order, with Familiar Faces and Alexa+ Greetings slated for a December rollout, and Search Party for dogs launching in November.
The product announcements follow prior scrutiny of Ring's data management practices and its relationships with law enforcement. Last year, the company revised its policy, announcing it would no longer accommodate police requests for user footage without a warrant. In related news, Amazon also debuted a 2K Blink camera lineup, including the Blink Arc, a $99.99 security camera that merges two Blink Mini 2K+ cameras to offer a 180-degree panoramic view.
