Ring launches $250 Drone Cam and revamps Astro as $999 Rover Cam for security

Ring unveiled a new indoor security drone priced at $249.99 that conducts scheduled patrols, investigates disturbances with a built-in 2K camera, and returns to a charging dock after each flight. The quadcopter, described as small and loud, can illuminate dark areas with a bright LED and uses visual AI to navigate and identify objects. Users can direct the drone to specific locations via the Alexa Home Map, but the device does not support manual piloting. Ring states the drone’s flight time is up to eight minutes, with a charging ratio of one minute of flight to eight minutes of recharge, making it suitable for periodic sweeps rather than continuous monitoring. Shipping is slated to begin on Jan. 27.

In parallel, Ring reintroduced the Amazon Astro robot as the Ring Rover Cam, removing the original’s display and personality features. The Rover Cam retains a 10-inch screen and a periscope camera upgraded to 4K resolution, and adds a rear LED ring that projects a light circle to indicate its position. The robot is targeted at small offices and warehouses up to 5,000 sq ft, where it can navigate between shelves and cubicle walls for up to 30 minutes per charge, with a similar recharge time. The Rover Cam will be available next month for $999.99, a lower price than the Astro’s initial launch cost.