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Amazon has opened preorders for the Ring Rover Cam, a wheeled security robot for businesses based on its Astro home robot. It can patrol a programmed route, respond to alerts from other Ring devices and stream 4K video; it costs $999.99 and is expected to ship Dec. 16.
Amazon has introduced the Ring Rover Cam, a wheeled security robot for businesses that adapts the company’s Astro home robot into a mobile patrol camera. The device is available for preorder at $999.99 and is expected to start shipping Dec. 16, according to The Verge.
Amazon is positioning the Rover Cam under a new Ring Robotics brand aimed at taking a more proactive approach to security than fixed cameras alone. The robot can be sent manually to a room or point on a programmed patrol route, and it can travel automatically to a location when an alarm from another Ring device is triggered. While moving, it streams and records video; at its destination, it performs a 360-degree scan so a user can inspect the area remotely.
The Rover Cam keeps Astro’s large wheels and extending periscope camera, but the camera has been upgraded to 4K resolution. Patrol schedules can specify camera height, allowing it to look over counters or shelving. A built-in siren and flashing red light are intended as deterrents, while a blue ring projected onto the ceiling can help people locate the robot in a large facility. Its screen displays status messages, including when it is recording; the device also supports two-way talk through its microphone and speakers.
Amazon estimates about 30 minutes of battery life and says the robot can cover facilities of around 5,000 square feet. It is limited to one floor, so businesses with multiple levels would need multiple Rover Cams or could pair it with Amazon’s newly announced flying Ring Drone Cam. The device does not provide Alexa access.
Mobile Patrol for Business Security
The Rover Cam shifts a security camera from a fixed viewpoint to a device that can move toward an alert and provide video from the location. For a business with a large single-floor space, that could let staff check a disturbance remotely rather than relying only on a camera’s existing angle. Amazon’s design combines patrols, alerts and remote viewing within its Ring security offering.
The stated operating limits matter to buyers: a roughly 30-minute battery estimate, single-floor operation and a $999.99 preorder price shape how it might fit into a facility’s security setup. Amazon has not provided details in the source report about ongoing service costs or how the robot’s performance will compare with conventional cameras and staffed patrols.
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Astro’s Second Security Pivot
The Rover Cam draws heavily on Astro, the home robot Amazon first introduced in 2021. It retains the wheeled base and deployable camera, but replaces Astro’s cupholder with a tower containing a siren and warning light. The screen also has a more functional role: it displays recording and status information rather than Astro’s animated eyes, and Alexa is not available on the new device.
This is not Amazon’s first attempt to adapt Astro for business security. In 2023, the company launched Astro for Business at $2,349.99, but discontinued that product about a year later, according to The Verge. The Rover Cam is being introduced at a lower starting price and under Ring Robotics, though the source material does not explain what changes Amazon made in response to the earlier product’s discontinuation.
Price, Performance and Availability
The source report says preorders are open and shipping is expected to start Dec. 16, but it does not state whether that date applies to every market or whether shipments could change. The battery figure is an estimate, and real-world runtime may depend on patrol use; no testing results or detailed operating conditions are provided.
It is also unclear from the report whether the $999.99 price includes any required Ring subscription, what security or privacy controls administrators can configure, and how the robot behaves if it loses connectivity or encounters an obstacle it cannot cross. Amazon’s announcement does not establish how well it will work in different facility layouts or whether the 5,000-square-foot coverage estimate reflects continuous patrols.
Preorders Ahead of December Shipping
The immediate milestone is the expected start of shipments on Dec. 16. Further details about subscriptions, availability by region, setup requirements and software features may emerge as Amazon provides product information or the first units reach business customers. Until then, the announced price, estimated battery life and coverage figure are specifications attributed to Amazon, not independently verified operating results.
Key Questions
What is the Amazon Ring Rover Cam?
It is a wheeled mobile security camera for businesses, based on Amazon’s Astro robot. It can patrol programmed routes, respond to alarms from other Ring devices and stream video while moving.
How much does the Ring Rover Cam cost?
Amazon has listed it for preorder at $999.99. The source report does not specify whether a subscription or other ongoing costs are required.
When is it expected to ship?
Shipping is expected to begin Dec. 16, according to The Verge’s report. The source does not provide details about regional availability or possible delays.
How long can it patrol, and how much space can it cover?
Amazon estimates about 30 minutes of battery life and coverage of facilities around 5,000 square feet. The robot is limited to one floor, and the estimates have not been independently verified in the supplied report.
Does the Rover Cam include Alexa?
No. The report says the Rover Cam has no Alexa access. Its screen is used for status messages, including an indication when the robot is recording.
Source: theverge.com
