Amazon’s Latest Ring Cameras Bring AI Face Recognition and Lost Pet Finder
Amazon’s Ring Cameras Get Smarter with AI: Facial Recognition and Lost Pet Alerts
Amazon has introduced a wave of new AI-powered features for its Ring camera lineup, aiming to make home security more intelligent and practical for everyday users. The latest announcement brings facial recognition, pet-finding networks, and smarter visitor greetings—showcasing how AI is reshaping smart home technology.
Key AI Features Announced
- Familiar Faces: Using advanced AI, Ring cameras can now identify friends and family members by recognizing their faces. Users simply enroll their loved ones into the system, and Ring will provide personalized alerts when these individuals are detected. If someone unfamiliar is spotted, users receive an immediate alert, allowing for quicker, more informed decisions about who is at the door.
- Alexa+ Smart Greetings: The new Alexa+ feature acts as a smart doorbell assistant. Integrated with facial recognition, it can greet regular visitors by name, manage deliveries, and handle visitor queries—streamlining the entire entryway experience.
- Pet Finder (Search Party): If a pet goes missing, Ring users can register it in the app. The system then notifies other nearby Ring users, sharing a description and enabling them to report sightings. AI helps match sightings to the correct pet, though participation is voluntary and privacy controls are provided.
Image Credit: Amazon Ring
Introducing Retinal Vision and 4K Video
Alongside new features, Amazon unveiled its first 4K Ring product line, featuring “Retinal Vision”—an imaging technology powered by AI that optimizes video clarity in real time. The Retinal Tuning function continually checks and adjusts video quality to ensure crisp footage, both day and night.
- Ring Retinal 2K: Available on the Indoor Cam Plus ($59.99) and Wired Doorbell Plus ($179.99).
- Ring Retinal 4K: Included in the 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).
All new devices are open for pre-orders.
Image Credit: Amazon Ring
Privacy and Responsible AI Use
Amazon emphasized user privacy with these updates. The company confirmed that all enrolled faces are managed locally by users, and participation in features like pet finding is strictly opt-in. Notably, Ring has faced past criticism over law enforcement data sharing, leading to a policy change: footage is no longer shared with police without a warrant.
When Do These Features Arrive?
- Familiar Faces and Alexa+ Greetings: Expected to roll out in December.
- Search Party for Dogs: Launching in November, with support for cats and other pets planned for the near future.
Blink Cameras Also Get an Upgrade
In addition to the Ring announcements, Amazon revealed a new 2K Blink camera lineup and the Blink Arc—a $99.99 security camera that combines two Blink Mini 2K+ units for a 180-degree panoramic view. This addition further expands Amazon’s smart security ecosystem.
