Amazon's new Ring robot patrols businesses and streams 4K video

Amazon has announced the Ring Rover Cam, a small wheeled robot that patrols a business and sends live video back to its owner. It costs $999.99 and is expected to ship starting December 16. It is the first product from a new Amazon brand called Ring Robotics, which aims to stop trouble as it happens instead of only recording it.

What it does

The robot rolls on two large wheels that help it handle small obstacles and uneven ground. An owner can send it to a specific room or to any point on a patrol route set in advance. It also heads on its own to the spot where an alarm on another Ring device goes off.

While it travels, it streams and records video. When it arrives, it does a full 360-degree scan so you can see what is wrong from a distance.

What is different from Astro

The Rover Cam borrows heavily from Astro, the home robot Amazon first showed in 2021. The main changes are built for security work.

• The telescoping camera now records in 4K and can be set to specific heights, so it can see over counters and shelves.
• A permanent tower holds a siren and a flashing red light meant to scare off intruders.
• The tower also casts a blue ring of light on the ceiling, which makes the robot easier to find in a big space.
• Alexa is gone. The screen now shows status messages, including when the robot is recording.
• The microphone and speakers are used for two-way talk.

The limits

Battery life is about 30 minutes. That is enough to cover around 5,000 square feet, but only on one floor. A building with several levels needs more than one robot. Amazon says the Rover Cam can also be paired with its new flying Ring Drone Cam.

Who it is for

Amazon is aiming the Rover Cam at businesses that want an affordable way to patrol and check on problems in large facilities, such as a warehouse. At $999.99, it costs less than half of the $2,349.99 Astro for Business.

That earlier product is a reason for caution. Amazon launched Astro for Business in 2023 and discontinued it a year later. The Rover Cam is available for preorder now.

What is not known yet

The material does not say whether any ongoing fees apply, how long recorded video is kept, or how well the robot performs in real buildings. Those answers will matter for any owner weighing a purchase before the December 16 ship date.