Amazon's Ring Unveils $250 Flying Security Drone
Amazon's Ring unveiled an indoor flying security camera and an autonomous patrol robot at an event in New York.
- $249.99 Drone Cam flies preset routes when Ring sensors or alarms trigger.
- 5 to 8 minutes of flight per charge, Ring says.
- $999.99 Rover Cam repurposes Amazon's Astro robot to patrol offices and warehouses.
- 165 grams: the drone's weight, about a quarter of an earlier prototype.
Why it matters: Ring has faced privacy concerns tied to its police partnerships. Earlier this year it canceled an integration with police tech provider Flock Safety.
- Ring says the drone records only in flight and its camera is shuttered when docked.
- The drone needs Wi-Fi to navigate; without it, it can only land.
How 6 sources split on this story
Where they split: Coverage differs on emphasis: CNBC centers Ring's market expansion and privacy history, while The Verge questions whether short flight times and cloud dependence suit home security.
Center coverage, 4 sources: The center sees Amazon pushing deeper into surveillance and the smart-home market as Ring works past earlier privacy controversies.
Left coverage, 2 sources: The left sees a long-delayed gadget whose short flight time and reliance on the cloud raise practical questions about its value for security.
What’s next: The Rover Cam is available for pre-order and begins shipping Dec. 16.
- The Drone Cam ships Jan. 27 in the U.S., pending FCC approval.
- Can a drone with minutes of flight time replace multiple stationary cameras?
- How will Ring's TAKE encryption hold up against privacy concerns about Amazon's access to footage?
- Will the drone ship on schedule after nearly six years of delays?
