Ring confirms its camera drone won’t have manual controls after crashing on CBS News

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Victoria Barrios / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/11/DSC01040.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">When (or if) Ring's security camera drone flies into our homes in January, you won't get the option to pilot it yourself. The <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1030601/ring-drone-cam-hands-on-price-release-date-ai-pilot">Ring Drone Cam</a> relies entirely on an "AI Pilot" system to follow pre-programmed routes and navigate autonomously around obstacles, with no manual control option available - and an embarrassing demonstration with <em>CBS News</em> might reveal why.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The video, broadcast on <em>CBS Mornings</em> and published on <a href="https://www.threads.com/@cbsmornings/post/Dfj_5AGEyor?xmt=AQG0WRkDixpCbkeKdahvWgCLBBtKmnxcMJTo-11o1yFkNl1U8rzCjfEkHQEBA1hWkQneJcs&amp;slof=1">Threads</a>, shows Ring founder Jamie Siminoff allowing technology reporter Jo Ling Kent to manually fly an early version of the drone via a mobile app with integrated controls.</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Ling Kent: "Can I control it?"</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Siminoff: "Yeah, so …</p></blockquote> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1031817/ring-drone-cam-manual-flight-controls">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>