Tech
Ring Rolls Out “Search Party”: AI-Powered Pet Finder Feature Aims to Help Locate Lost Dogs
Ring’s new Search Party feature uses AI and community cameras to help locate lost dogs. Learn how it works, how to opt out, and the privacy issues it raises.
Last Updated on October 17, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Published October 14, 2025
🐶 A New Kind of Neighborhood Watch — for Pets
Ring, the home security company best known for its video doorbells, is expanding its technology beyond package protection and porch safety. The company has announced a new feature called “Search Party,” designed to help owners locate lost pets — beginning with dogs.
This innovative feature uses artificial intelligence (AI) and Ring’s extensive network of home security cameras to identify and track sightings of missing pets in a given neighborhood. While the technology promises to reunite families with their furry friends, it also raises new questions about privacy, data use, and community consent.
🔍 How Search Party Works
The new Search Party tool builds on Ring’s existing pet-friendly ecosystem, which already includes Pet Profiles, Lost Pet posts in the Neighbors app, and Ring Pet Tags — QR-coded ID tags that connect to a pet’s online profile.
Search Party goes a step further.
Report a Missing Dog: When a user reports a lost pet in the Ring app, they upload a photo and details like breed, color, and last known location. AI Video Scanning: Nearby Ring cameras — with owners’ permission — use AI to scan recorded video for dogs that match the missing pet’s image. Community Alerts: If the system identifies a possible match, the camera owner is notified and can choose whether to share the footage with the pet’s owner.
Initially, the feature focuses on dogs, with plans to expand to cats and other pets in the future.
🧠 A Promising Use of Smart Tech
There’s no doubt that Search Party showcases the positive potential of connected devices and community cooperation.
Potential benefits include:
Faster pet recovery: Quick identification through shared footage could reunite pets and owners in hours instead of days. Community engagement: Neighbors can actively help one another, creating a modern version of the “missing pet flyer” system. No extra hardware required: Unlike GPS collars or Bluetooth trackers, Search Party uses existing cameras and the Ring app network. Peace of mind: Even if the system doesn’t immediately locate a pet, owners gain another tool in their search arsenal.
⚠️ Privacy and Practical Concerns
However, with great tech comes great responsibility — and potential drawbacks.
1. Privacy Questions:
Even though Search Party is opt-in after launch, users will be automatically included by default. Critics worry that such a system could gradually normalize broader surveillance — even for well-intentioned purposes.
2. Misidentifications:
AI image recognition isn’t perfect. A golden retriever in poor lighting could easily be mistaken for another dog, leading to false alerts or unnecessary confusion.
3. Neighborhood Tension:
Some homeowners may feel pressured to participate or uneasy about footage being analyzed or shared, even indirectly. Misunderstandings could arise if people feel their privacy is being compromised.
4. Limited Coverage:
The system’s success depends on how many Ring devices are active in a given area. In rural or low-density neighborhoods, the feature may offer little benefit.
5. False Sense of Security:
While helpful, Search Party is not a live GPS tracker. Owners could risk delaying traditional search methods like microchip scanning, shelter visits, or posting flyers.
🔒 Opt-Out and Privacy Controls
For users concerned about privacy, Ring provides a way to opt out of Search Party participation:
Default Participation: When the feature rolls out, most compatible Ring camera owners will be automatically included. How to Opt Out: In the Ring app, go to Settings → Privacy → Search Party Participation and toggle it off to prevent your camera footage from being used in AI scanning for missing pets. What Opting Out Means: Your devices won’t contribute to Search Party video analysis or alerts, but you can still use other pet features such as Pet Profiles and Lost Pet posts. Limited AI Review: Even when opted in, Ring says footage is analyzed by AI only for motion clips and possible matches — not continuously streamed — and users are always notified before sharing any video.
Privacy experts still recommend reviewing these settings regularly, as updates may change how data is processed or shared.
🏡 The Bigger Picture
Search Party highlights a broader trend in home tech: the blending of community safety, AI innovation, and surveillance infrastructure. It’s a natural evolution of the smart home, but one that continues to test the boundaries between convenience and privacy.
For Ring, this rollout could redefine how its devices are viewed — not just as tools for security, but as instruments for community care. For users, it’s another reminder to weigh the value of connectivity against the importance of personal and neighborhood privacy.
💬 Final Thoughts
The idea of using smart cameras to find lost pets feels both heartwarming and futuristic — a clear example of technology’s ability to serve everyday needs. Yet, it also underscores the ongoing conversation about where we draw the line between helping and watching.
For now, Search Party stands as both a breakthrough and a balancing act — one that asks users to decide how much of their neighborhood they’re willing to share in the name of compassion.
🔗 Related Links
Ring’s Search Party Announcement (About Amazon)
TechCrunch: “Ring Cameras Can Now Recognize Faces and Help Find Lost Pets”
Tom’s Guide: “How Ring’s Search Party Works”
Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
Last Updated on April 2, 2026 by Daily News Staff
🕒 [UPDATE] Orion Performs Translunar Injection Burn
The spacecraft has completed its critical engine burn, sending Artemis II on a trajectory toward the Moon. This marks the official start of its deep space journey.
Artemis II Successfully Launches
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA has successfully launched its Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed journey toward the Moon in more than 50 years.
The powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, carrying four astronauts on a 10-day mission around the Moon and back.
On board are Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The mission is already being hailed as a major milestone in NASA’s effort to return humans to deep space.
Shortly after liftoff, the Orion spacecraft successfully reached orbit and deployed its solar arrays, beginning its journey that will eventually send the crew on a translunar trajectory toward the Moon. 
Artemis II is a lunar flyby mission, meaning astronauts will not land but will travel farther from Earth than any human mission in decades while testing critical systems needed for future landings.
The mission also marks several historic firsts, including the first woman and the first person of color—Victor Glover—to travel into lunar space.
NASA says the mission is a key step toward future lunar landings and long-term plans to establish a human presence on the Moon later this decade.
🛰️ Artemis II Mission Timeline
The 10-day Artemis II mission follows a carefully planned trajectory from Earth to the Moon and back:
- Day 1: Launch and Earth orbit
- Day 1–2: Translunar injection burn
- Days 2–4: Deep space travel
- Days 4–5: Lunar flyby
- Days 5–8: Return to Earth
- Days 9–10: Reentry and splashdown
For official updates and in-depth mission details, visit the following trusted sources:
- NASA: Artemis II Mission Overview
- NASA Artemis Program (Return to the Moon)
- Orion Spacecraft – Mission Details
- Space Launch System (SLS) Rocket Overview
- Kennedy Space Center – Launch Operations
- Watch NASA Live Coverage and Replays
🧾 Sources
- NASA official launch coverage and mission updates
- NASA Artemis II press materials and briefings
- NASA Kennedy Space Center launch operations updates
Stay with STM Daily News for live updates on Artemis II.
CropX Technologies has launched CropX Vision, a new AI-powered vineyard monitoring solution designed to help growers measure vine water stress using a single canopy image.
The new tool uses computer vision and agronomic modeling to estimate leaf water potential from a smartphone photo, giving growers and agronomists a faster and more scalable way to assess plant stress across entire vineyard blocks. The company says the goal is to support better irrigation decisions throughout the growing season.
CropX Vision is available globally on both iOS and Android. The platform is also integrated into the broader CropX application, allowing users to combine canopy-based stress insights with other agronomic data in one place.
According to CropX, the technology offers an in-season alternative to traditional pressure chamber measurements, which can be more time-consuming and limited in sampling range. Instead of relying on specialized equipment, growers can capture a single image in the field and receive plant-level water stress insights.
The product builds on technology originally developed by Tule Technologies, a California-based precision irrigation company acquired by CropX in 2023. Tule’s canopy sensing technology has already been used in California vineyards, and CropX is now expanding that capability to growers worldwide.
CropX says the global release reflects its continued focus on data-driven tools that help growers improve productivity while managing water more efficiently.
CropX Vision is now available for download via the app stores:
- iOS: https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/cropx-vision/id6756921607?l=en-GB
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cropx.cropx_vision&pcampaignid=web_share
For more information, visit CropX Vision.
Visit the Food and Drink section on STM Daily News for the latest food news, beverage trends, restaurant stories, seasonal recipes, culinary events, and community-driven lifestyle coverage.
Consumer Corner
Unilever, Google Cloud Strike Five-Year AI Partnership to Reshape Consumer Goods Marketing
Unilever and Google Cloud have announced a five-year partnership aimed at accelerating the consumer goods giant’s digital transformation through AI, cloud infrastructure, and data modernization.
The deal centers on helping Unilever strengthen brand discovery, marketing measurement, and AI-driven customer engagement across its global portfolio, which includes Dove, Vaseline, and Hellmann’s. A major focus is the rise of conversational and agentic commerce, where consumers increasingly discover and shop for products through AI-powered interactions rather than traditional search and browsing.
As part of the agreement, Unilever will migrate its integrated data and cloud platform to Google Cloud, creating what the companies describe as an AI-first digital backbone. That system is intended to help Unilever move faster on demand generation, turn data into actionable insights, and respond more quickly to shifts in the market.
The partnership is built around three pillars:
- Agentic commerce and marketing intelligence
- An integrated data and cloud foundation
- Advanced AI adoption across the business
Unilever leadership framed the move as part of a broader shift in which technology is becoming central to value creation in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. Google Cloud said the collaboration will use advanced AI models, including Gemini, to help modernize business processes and improve agility.
Unilever said it generated €50.5 billion in sales in 2025, operates in more than 190 countries, and reaches 3.7 billion people every day.
What to watch for
- How “agentic commerce” changes consumer brand discovery
- Whether other major CPG companies follow with similar AI-cloud partnerships
- How AI-backed marketing measurement impacts ad efficiency and conversion
Source: PR Newswire / Google Cloud
Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
https://stmdailynews.com/category/consumer-corner
