Liz Hamren, CEO of Amazon's Ring business, discusses the challenges and opportunities in the home monitoring industry, the importance of balancing security and privacy, and the success of Ring's product portfolio. She also explores LIDAR technology for autonomous vehicles and the Amazon Sidewalk community network. Additionally, she reflects on her background in technology and business leadership and how it has influenced her approach to leadership at Amazon and Ring.
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Quick takeaways
Liz Hamren emphasizes the importance of computer vision and AI advancements in enhancing home monitoring products.
Ring CEO Liz Hamren highlights the company's focus on privacy, security, and customization in their home monitoring systems.
Deep dives
Ring's vision for home monitoring products
Liz Hammerin, CEO of Amazon's Ring Business, discusses her passion for the home monitoring and camera industry. She highlights the unfinished business from her previous role at Dropcam and expresses the opportunity for growth in the home monitoring category. Hammerin emphasizes the importance of helping people know what's happening at home when they're not there, and the advancements in computer vision and AI that can enhance home monitoring products.
Balancing security, privacy, and features at Ring
Hammerin acknowledges the tension between security, privacy, and features in the home monitoring industry. She emphasizes that Ring prioritizes privacy and control over user data, while ensuring system security. Additionally, the company aims to provide tools to protect the privacy of neighbors and those surrounding Ring users. Hammerin discusses various measures, such as privacy zones and customizable motion alerts, that enable users to tailor their monitoring systems according to their specific needs and privacy preferences.
Expanding product portfolio and the role of AI
Hammerin provides an overview of Ring's product portfolio expansion beyond doorbell cameras. She mentions the growth of the camera business and the addition of other products like alarms and sensors. Hammerin also highlights the role of AI in shaping Ring's approach by improving features such as person detection, package detection, and future developments like vehicle and animal detection. She emphasizes the company's focus on understanding what's happening in users' videos and their commitment to privacy, security, and customization.
Liz Hamren has been CEO of Amazon's Ring business for almost a year, as the successor in the role to Ring founder Jamie Siminoff.
Hamren previously held technology and business leadership positions at companies including Dropcam, Microsoft, Oculus, and Discord, and was involved in product launches including Xbox consoles and Meta VR headsets. In addition to Ring, she leads Blink, Amazon Key, and Amazon Sidewalk in her current role. She spoke with us recently in her first public interview since becoming Ring CEO last year.
With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop; Audio editing by Curt Milton.