Ring wants to use AI to turn its doorbells into an intelligent assistant

Ring, the Amazon-owned maker of video doorbells, is preparing to change its identity. Instead of a device that simply records video when something moves near the door, it is supposed to become what TechCrunch calls an "intelligent assistant." According to the company's founder, advances in AI are what made this shift possible.

From recording motion to analyzing events

Until now, Ring video doorbells have done one job: record video when they detect motion and let the owner see and talk to a visitor remotely. More powerful machine learning algorithms will let the device not just record what happens but analyze it. The AI will learn to tell people, animals, and vehicles apart, and to recognize potentially dangerous situations, adding a layer of interpretation on top of what used to be a plain video feed.

What the doorbell will do: from sirens to automatic lights

Ring describes several scenarios for its future "intelligent assistant." If the system spots a stranger behaving suspiciously near the house, the doorbell will send a notification to the owner's phone and offer to sound a siren or contact the police. If a wild animal shows up on the property, the device will send a separate alert so the owner has time to take precautions.

Better recognition also enables automation that isn't directly tied to threats: the doorbell will be able to open the door for a courier on its own if the user is expecting a delivery, or turn on the lights when the owner comes home after dark.

Risks: personal data and algorithm accuracy

Using AI in security systems raises questions about personal data protection: Ring needs to keep the information it collects secure and prevent it from being misused. Algorithm accuracy is a separate challenge. False alarms can turn a useful feature into a source of needless alerts and hassle instead of making homes safer and more convenient.

Why is Ring moving from doorbell to "intelligent assistant"?

Advances in AI and machine learning have, for the first time, let Ring do more than record video on motion: it can now analyze what happens at the door, telling people, animals, and vehicles apart and identifying dangerous situations. According to the company's founder, progress in AI is precisely what made the shift possible; according to TechCrunch, Ring's goal is to become an "intelligent assistant."

How will Ring's AI doorbell recognize dangerous situations?

If the device detects a stranger behaving suspiciously near the house, it will send a notification to the owner's phone and offer to sound a siren or contact the police right away. The doorbell will also send a separate alert if a wild animal appears on the property, so the owner has time to take precautions.

What risks do Ring's AI features carry?

There are two main ones: protecting users' personal data from misuse, and algorithm accuracy. False alarms can lead to needless alerts and hassle instead of delivering the benefits of a security system.