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”
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News
Joby Aviation and Toyota kick off manufacturing alliance to scale electric air taxi production
Joby Aviation and Toyota launch a joint venture to improve productivity, quality, and cost as they prepare to scale electric air taxi production.
Joby Aviation and Toyota Motor Corporation have launched the initial phase of a strategic manufacturing alliance aimed at accelerating commercial production of electric air taxis—an early step the companies say is designed to make “air mobility for all” a practical, everyday reality.
Announced June 30, 2026, the partnership formalizes a new joint venture that will combine Joby’s electric aviation development with Toyota’s production systems and operational expertise. The near-term focus: building the groundwork for commercial production while pushing improvements in productivity, quality, and cost—key factors as the industry moves from prototypes to scaled manufacturing.
What the joint venture is designed to do
According to the companies, the alliance will initially concentrate on:
- Establishing the foundation for commercial production capability
- Advancing manufacturing excellence with an emphasis on productivity, quality, and cost
- Supporting expansion of Joby’s production capacity as it works toward aircraft certification and prepares for anticipated demand
The announcement positions Toyota’s manufacturing playbook—known globally for lean production and continuous improvement—as a lever to help Joby move from development into repeatable, high-quality output at scale.
Why it matters: eVTOLs need scale, not just flight tests
Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have become one of the most closely watched bets in next-generation transportation, but the path to viable air taxi services depends on more than successful test flights. Certification timelines, supply chain readiness, and the ability to produce aircraft consistently (and affordably) are often what separates promising technology from commercial reality.
By forming a joint venture focused on manufacturing readiness, Joby and Toyota are signaling that the next competitive frontier is industrialization—how quickly and reliably eVTOL aircraft can be built to meet safety standards and market demand.
Related Links for Further reading
- Joby Aviation (official): https://www.jobyaviation.com
- Joby Investor Relations / News (official updates & filings): https://ir.jobyaviation.com
- Toyota Newsroom (official): https://www.toyotanewsroom.com
- Toyota Global (corporate overview): https://global.toyota/en
- FAA Advanced Air Mobility / Air Taxis (context): https://www.faa.gov/air-taxis
What executives are saying
Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt emphasized the long-running relationship between the companies, calling the joint venture a reflection of shared confidence in the opportunity ahead.
“Toyota has been by Joby’s side for nearly a decade, providing invaluable guidance and support as we built the foundation for manufacturing our aircraft,” Bevirt said. “Together, we share a vision of making aerial mobility an everyday reality.”
Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda framed air mobility as an extension of the company’s broader mission.
“Since our founding, we’ve been guided by the philosophy of providing mobility for all,” Toyoda said, adding that Toyota views air mobility as “a natural extension of that philosophy—from the ground into the sky.”
About the companies
Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) is a California-based transportation company developing an all-electric eVTOL air taxi. The company intends to operate its own air taxi service in cities worldwide and sell aircraft to other operators and partners.
Toyota (NYSE: TM) has operated in North America for nearly 70 years and says it is focused on sustainable, next-generation mobility through Toyota and Lexus brands. Toyota reports nearly 64,000 employees in North America, 14 manufacturing plants, and more than 1,800 dealerships. The company also noted that its North Carolina plant began assembling automotive batteries for electrified vehicles in 2025.
What to watch for next
For readers tracking the air taxi sector, the next milestones will likely center on:
- Details on how the joint venture will be structured operationally
- Updates on Joby’s certification progress and production ramp timelines
- Signs of how manufacturing improvements translate into cost reductions and throughput
- Additional agreements or expanded collaboration as the alliance progresses
While the companies highlighted expected benefits, they also noted the usual forward-looking risks—such as regulatory certification timelines, market conditions, and the ability to finalize additional agreements.
Source: Toyota Motor North America / PRNewswire (June 30, 2026)
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Consumer Corner
The Evolution of Retail Technology: Connecting Consumers to Valuable Product Information
The Evolution of Retail Technology: Connecting Consumers to Valuable Product Information
(Feature Impact) For more than 50 years, traditional universal product codes (UPCs), better known as barcodes, have automated checkout, powered retail and kept the world’s products moving one scan at a time.
Watch this video to learn more
Now it’s time for the next chapter. Brands and retailers are transitioning to QR codes powered by GS1 to enhance everyday shopping experiences, unlock more information and empower customers to make informed purchase decisions with a simple smartphone scan – while still going “beep” at the register.
For decades, UPC barcodes simply provided the price of an item, but today’s shoppers are looking for more information. This retail-labeling transformation will include advanced QR codes that unlock information about ingredients, allergens, freshness, product origin, sustainability details, recipes and more. Retailers have set a 2027 target to accept these QR codes at checkout, which can help them better operate and serve their customers in numerous ways, such as preventing recalled products from being sold.
They can also help reduce food waste, save consumers money and help people make smarter purchases by encouraging shoppers to have a richer experience with the products they’re putting in their carts.
Visit gs1us.org/smarter to discover more about the future of shopping and checkout.
SOURCE:
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STM Blog
From Hand Signals to Smart Crosswalks: The Evolution of the Modern Pedestrian Signal
Discover the history of the modern pedestrian signal, from Garrett A. Morgan’s groundbreaking traffic signal to today’s smart, accessible crosswalks.
Last Updated on July 12, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Every day, millions of people rely on pedestrian signals to cross busy street safely. A glowing white walking figure, an orange-red hand, and a countdown timer have become familiar sights around the world. While these signals may seem like simple pieces of infrastructure, they are the result of more than a century of innovation, engineering, and public safety improvements.
The modern pedestrian signal did not appear overnight. Instead, it evolved through the contributions of inventors, engineers, city planners, and transportation officials who continually refined traffic control systems as cities grew and automobiles became more common.
The Early Days of Traffic Control
Before electric traffic signals, intersections were controlled by police officers, railway-style semaphores, or even hand signals. As horse-drawn wagons gave way to automobiles in the early 1900s, traffic congestion and accidents increased dramatically, creating an urgent need for better traffic management.
One of the earliest electric traffic lights was installed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1914. It used red and green lights and was manually operated. While it improved vehicle movement, pedestrians still had to judge for themselves when it was safe to cross.
Garrett A. Morgan’s Breakthrough
One of the most important milestones came in 1923 when inventor and entrepreneur Garrett Augustus Morgan received U.S. Patent No. 1,475,024 for an improved traffic signal.
Morgan’s design introduced a third position in addition to “Stop” and “Go.” This intermediate phase temporarily stopped traffic in every direction before allowing vehicles to proceed. The brief pause reduced confusion at intersections and provided additional time for pedestrians to cross safely.
Morgan reportedly developed his design after witnessing a serious traffic accident. His invention demonstrated how thoughtful engineering could improve public safety while making increasingly busy streets more efficient.
Although Morgan did not invent the illuminated “WALK” and “DON’T WALK” pedestrian signal used today, his three-position signal became a foundational step in the evolution of modern traffic control.
The Birth of Dedicated Pedestrian Signals
As cities expanded after World War II, pedestrian safety became an even greater concern. More people were walking in increasingly crowded downtown districts, and separating pedestrian movements from vehicle traffic became a priority.
During the early 1950s, several American cities began experimenting with dedicated pedestrian signals. New York City became one of the first major municipalities to install illuminated “WALK” and “DON’T WALK” signs at busy intersections.
These early systems gave pedestrians their own designated crossing phase, reducing conflicts with turning vehicles and improving safety at some of the nation’s busiest intersections.
Standardization Across America
By the 1960s and 1970s, traffic engineers recognized the importance of creating consistent traffic control devices nationwide.
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) established national standards for traffic signs, pavement markings, and pedestrian signals. Standardized designs helped ensure that pedestrians could understand crossing signals regardless of where they traveled in the United States.
Eventually, words gave way to internationally recognized symbols—a walking person to indicate it was safe to cross and an upraised hand to indicate pedestrians should wait. These symbols transcended language barriers and improved accessibility for visitors and non-English speakers.
The Countdown Era
One of the most significant modern improvements arrived with pedestrian countdown timers.
Rather than simply flashing a warning, countdown displays show exactly how many seconds remain before the crossing phase ends. Research has shown that countdown timers help pedestrians make better crossing decisions and improve compliance with traffic signals.
Today, countdown timers have become standard equipment at intersections across much of the United States.
Accessibility Takes Center Stage
Modern pedestrian signals are designed to serve everyone.
Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) now provide audible tones, spoken messages, vibrating push buttons, and locator sounds that assist pedestrians who are blind or have low vision. These features allow more people to navigate intersections independently and safely.
The continued development of accessible technology reflects a broader commitment to making transportation systems inclusive for all users.
The Future of Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian signals continue to evolve.
Many cities now use smart traffic systems that detect pedestrians waiting to cross, automatically adjust signal timing based on traffic conditions, and prioritize people walking during busy periods.
Researchers are exploring artificial intelligence, connected vehicle technology, and sensor-based systems capable of communicating directly with autonomous vehicles. Future pedestrian crossings may adapt in real time to weather conditions, crowd sizes, emergency vehicles, and even the needs of older adults or individuals with disabilities.
A Legacy Built by Many Innovators
The pedestrian signal we know today is the product of more than a century of collaboration and innovation.
Early traffic engineers created the first electric traffic lights. Garrett A. Morgan improved intersection safety with his groundbreaking three-position traffic signal. Transportation agencies standardized traffic control devices, while engineers continued refining pedestrian technology through countdown timers, accessible features, and intelligent traffic systems.
Every safe crossing today reflects the work of countless inventors, planners, researchers, and public officials dedicated to protecting lives.
As cities continue to grow and transportation technology advances, the humble pedestrian signal remains one of the most effective—and often overlooked—public safety innovations ever developed.
At STM Daily News, we celebrate the inventors, engineers, and visionaries whose everyday innovations quietly improve life for millions of people. Sometimes the most important inventions aren’t the ones that grab headlines—they’re the ones we depend on every single day without giving them a second thought.
Related Reading
- Federal Highway Administration – Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
- National Museum of African American History and Culture – Garrett Augustus Morgan
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
- Federal Highway Administration – Accessible Pedestrian Signals
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
🧠 Discover the remarkable innovators, inventors, and trailblazers who helped shape our world but rarely receive the recognition they deserve. Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter to catch every new Forgotten Genius Friday feature and more inspiring stories delivered to your inbox.
