Alexa+ Adds AI to Ring Doorbells - Amazon's New Feature

Alexa+ Gains New AI Capabilities for Ring Doorbells

Amazon is enhancing Alexa+ with a new functionality that integrates conversational AI directly into Ring doorbells. This allows users to efficiently manage package deliveries, deter unwanted solicitations, and facilitate message recording by visitors when homeowners are unavailable.

Introducing the Greetings Feature

Dubbed Greetings, this innovative feature leverages Ring’s capabilities to identify visitors based on their clothing, observed behaviors, and carried items. The system then responds in accordance with pre-defined user instructions.

For instance, when a delivery person is detected dropping off a package, the system will react based on the settings configured by the user.

Delivery Management and Instructions

The feature provides customizable settings to specify preferred package drop-off locations. Users can also direct delivery personnel to available amenities like water or snacks.

Should a signature be required, Alexa can proactively inquire about a suitable return time and relay this information to the homeowner.

Handling Unsolicited Visitors

Greetings can also effectively manage interactions with sales representatives or service providers. Users can establish a directive, such as politely declining sales pitches when someone approaches the door.

Message Recording for Friends and Family

When homeowners are occupied or away, Alexa can extend a greeting to visiting friends or family members and offer the option to leave a voice message.

Potential for Misidentification

It is important to acknowledge the potential for the technology to misidentify individuals and respond inappropriately. A scenario could arise where a friend, employed in a logistics role, is mistaken for a delivery person while visiting after work.

Building on Existing Features

This new capability builds upon Ring’s previously released, and somewhat controversial, “Familiar Faces” feature. This earlier feature allowed users to catalog the faces of up to 50 frequent visitors for identification within the Ring app.

How Greetings Works

Amazon clarifies that Greetings utilizes Ring’s video descriptions to determine the primary subject in the camera’s view, generating responses without explicitly identifying the individual.

Compatibility and Availability

The Greetings feature is currently compatible with the Ring Wired Doorbell Pro (3rd Gen) and Ring Wired Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen). Access requires a Ring Premium Plan subscription and enabled video descriptions.

Currently, the feature is being rolled out to Alexa+ Early Access customers located in the United States and Canada.