At an event on Tuesday, Amazon introduced a new suite of AI-powered features for its latest Ring cameras and doorbells.
The upgrades allow Ring users to recognize familiar faces and even help locate lost pets by connecting with nearby Ring devices in their neighborhood.
Amazon also unveiled Alexa+, a smart doorbell assistant that provides real-time details about visitors before you answer the door.
Additionally, Ring is launching its first 4K product line, featuring Retinal Vision, an advanced imaging technology that delivers sharper, clearer video than ever before.
The standout feature introduced at the event was “Familiar Faces,” an AI-powered capability that recognizes friends and family members. Users can register the faces of their loved ones, allowing Ring to send alerts when those individuals are detected. The AI can also notify users if an unfamiliar person appears, helping them respond quickly and confidently.
In a blog post published today, the company explained that the feature is designed to help customers reduce unnecessary notifications triggered by routine activities and to eliminate guesswork in identifying people detected by the camera.
“Equally important,” said Ring founder Jamie Siminoff, “is that if someone you don’t recognize is lingering, you’ll immediately know they’re unfamiliar.”
Ring has previously faced criticism over its ties with law enforcement and data privacy concerns. Last year, after a wave of public complaints, the company announced it would no longer fulfill police requests for user footage without a warrant.
The Familiar Faces feature integrates seamlessly with the broader Alexa+ Greetings system, allowing personalized greetings when the camera recognizes a specific person. This turns Alexa into a true smart doorbell attendant — capable of interacting with visitors, managing deliveries, and identifying the purpose of visits to keep users informed.
Another AI innovation, called Search Party, is designed to help locate lost pets by connecting nearby Ring cameras. When a user reports a missing pet, neighboring Ring users receive a brief description and can voluntarily share sightings. The system uses AI to suggest potential matches, while ensuring user privacy — participants can choose whether or not to share information with their neighbors.
Both Familiar Faces and Alexa+ Greetings will begin rolling out to customers in December, while Search Party for dogs will launch in November, with support for cats and other pets coming later.
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