Ring announces Car Cam to give your car more security

Feel like your car could use some extra protection? Ring is expanding its line of home security products to include a new car camera system to help put your mind at ease.

At CES 2023, Ring announced that it is getting into the auto security business with its new car camera dubbed the Car Cam. Similar to its other offerings, Ring says that users will be able to control the camera and receive alerts directly through the Ring app.

The device features a dual-facing camera designed to record both the interior and exterior of the car, whether it’s in motion or turned off. Ring says Car Cam also contains smart sensors that can turn the camera on when it detects an event happening inside or outside. So if someone breaks into your car, the device will send an alert to your Ring app.

In addition to its dual-facing cameras, the device has a built-in microphone and speaker. This enables one of the gadget’s features called Traffic Stop, which allows you to ask Alexa to record for several minutes while your car is parked. Ring also says the microphone and speaker can be used to let you to speak with anyone in the car through the Ring app.

To send you alerts, Car Cam can work off of your home Wi-Fi or LTE. However, to use the LTE option, you’ll have to subscribe to Ring Protect Go which will cost you $6 per month or $60 per year.

It’s important to point out that the camera system runs off of your car battery via the OBD-II port. Something else of note, Ring says the camera only records when it detects an event or you initiate Live View, has a LED light to indicate when it’s recording, and supports end-to-end encryption.

Ring expects to start selling the Car Cam in February on Ring.com and on Amazon.com for $250. The company didn’t give a specific date, but preorders go live today with the price set at $200 for a limited time during preorder.