Amazon Launches Alexa Greetings for Ring Doorbells

Amazon has launched Alexa Greetings, a new feature that enables its AI assistant to engage in natural conversations with visitors at Ring doorbells, even when homeowners are away. The rollout began today for early access users in the United States and Canada, limited to English-language interactions on select wired Ring video doorbell models.

The feature transforms the Ring doorbell into an intelligent intermediary by combining the device's camera and audio capabilities with advanced AI. When a visitor rings the bell, the system analyzes visual cues such as their clothing, actions, and items they are holding to infer their intent. For instance, it can identify a delivery worker in a uniform carrying a package and respond based on user instructions, such as directing them to leave it at a side door or behind a shed. Alexa can also handle follow-up questions, like confirming if a signature is needed or relaying when the homeowner might return.

Users customize responses through the Ring app or by speaking to an Alexa-enabled device. Instructions might include politely declining door-to-door salespeople with a message like, "We're not interested, thank you," or greeting friends and...