Amazon’s new Ring cameras are mounted to roving robots, including $250 Drone Cam

After years in development, Ring's Ring Drone Cam, a home security camera drone, is finally available for purchase. The device underwent several changes since its inception as the Ring Always Home cam three years ago. Ring is now shipping the device, and initial impressions are presented below.

Priced at $249.99 on Amazon, the Ring Drone Cam is set to begin shipping on January 27, 2027. Its flight time lasts approximately eight minutes, and it weighs in at 165 grams. Featuring a 2K camera with a 148º field of view, the drone's design resembles the DJI Neo, with a small rectangular body and four rotors. Unlike the Always Home Cam, the Drone Cam boasts a sleeker appearance.

The device docks and recharges in a square base station, much like its predecessor. As it flies throughout the home, its rotors generate a loud, high-pitched noise. This noise may be unsettling for pets, such as dogs, and could potentially cause discomfort for cats as well. The drone is guided using an Alexa Home map, which resembles the interface on Amazon's smart displays, and can cover multiple stories of the home.

The Ring Drone Cam relies on Amazon's AI Pilot for navigation, enabling it to interpret its surroundings and respond to events, such as window or door sensor activations, or water leak detectors. The drone can patrol the house autonomously or respond to specific events, and its live view can be accessed through the Alexa Home map. The drone is also capable of a rolling drone mode.

While the Ring Drone Cam may offer utility in monitoring a specific area of the house, such as a basement sensor, concerns over privacy and potential intruder evasion remain. The drone moves slowly, potentially allowing intruders to bypass the monitored area. Despite these reservations, the Ring Drone Cam could be a useful addition to home security systems, and interested readers are encouraged to share their opinions in a poll.