The latest home security product from Ring was recently announced, and it’s not what you might expect. The Always Home Cam is a mini-drone, equipped with a built-in camera, that flies around your home in order to monitor it and deter would-be intruders.
Thus far, Ring has made their name largely in outdoor security cameras, with much of their marketing focused on their popular video doorbell products. Subsequently, this move can be seen as the next step forward for the company, with Ring’s founder James Siminoff describing it as an “obvious product that is very hard to build.”
Advancements in drone technology have expanded the potential of the indoor security market, and the Always Home Cam will be aiming to utilise this progress. The mini-drone will be fully autonomous, but owners will be able to instruct where it goes and which rooms it monitors via an app. The device will allow you to create a map of your home with specific viewpoints (such as the kitchen or living room) which it uses to guide itself. Along with the map, the drone also features anti-collision technology so it doesn’t damage itself, objects, or household pets as it flies between rooms.
Its main purpose, as shown in the Product Trailer, will be to film any intruder and deter break-ins, thus improving home security. It can be activated on command or when a disturbance is detected on the Ring Alarm system in order to achieve this goal. However, like their video doorbell devices, the Always Home Cam will serve several other purposes. For instance, Ring says the mini-drone can be used for double-checking the stove was switched off, the door was locked, or that the windows were shut when you left the house.
In addition, concerns around privacy will also be addressed. The drone can be placed in dock-mode either by direct command or by setting up a schedule, which deactivates the camera. For added precaution, though, when it’s in dock-mode the charger fully blocks the camera’s view for peace of mind. Users will also be aware of when the camera is recording as, according to Ring, the propellers will make an audible noise.
The Always Home Cam: Cost & Release Date
Ring’s new security device is expected to begin shipping some time next year, but no specific release date has been set as of October 2020. It is expected to cost around £200 and the mini-drone itself will include a charging block.
