Fayetteville native who patented Ring doorbell technology set to launch new AI device

A Fayetteville native and tech pioneer known for inventing the technology behind the Ring video doorbell is set to launch a new surveillance and security device that uses artificial intelligence to enhance security.

Ron Carter, a 1972 graduate of E.E. Smith High School and class president, said Thursday that his new product, Global Logistics Optimizer, is designed to enhance entry point security for both homes and businesses. Carter, the founder of 1AHEAD Technologies, aims to introduce GLO with the vision of "educating consumers" on how AI can be used to secure a home.

"What really makes this fun for me is the opportunity to introduce AI in a consumer-friendly manner," he said. "AI is really spooky to a lot of people. They're nervous regarding just what they don't know. We see an opportunity to introduce AI in a support manner that would actually work favorably for consumers to take some of the mystery away and to show how it can actually be an asset to households."

What is GLO?

Carter said that GLO aims to serve a wide range of industries, including property management, corporate offices, educational institutions and public facilities. He said that if all goes to plan, the device will launch by late 2025, offering business-to-business and business-to-consumer purchasing options. He said the $1.6 million project was funded through investors, friends and family.

"We developed the technology to provide support to e-commerce to potentially reduce the risk and cost associated with porch pirates," Carter said, using a term for people who steal packages from doorsteps. "The system has the ability to recognize a carrier truck, carrier uniform and it can actually scan the package in."

He said that GLO not only addresses the issue of package theft but also offers support for e-commerce, real estate, short-term rentals and logistics management. As GLO is introduced to the market, he said it has the potential to significantly impact the field of AI-driven security solutions.

GLO's features

For e-commerce, he said GLO uses computer vision to verify carrier uniforms and vehicles, ensuring secure package deliveries. The system also offers logistics management by streamlining product fulfillment, stock management and specialized logistics for carriers.

Carter said the system's keyless entry management uses AI to generate virtual keys, offering temporary access through image recognition instead of traditional passwords. He said that unlike hotel room keys that rely on alpha-numeric codes, which can be intercepted by hackers, the image recognition approach enhances security by eliminating the need for data to be transmitted wirelessly.

He said users can create and send a virtual key, in the form of an image, that grants temporary access to their home, such as for a repair technician. He said that once the repairs are completed, the virtual key can easily be changed to a new image, eliminating the need for homeowners to leave work early to let someone in. The system is also compatible with smart devices and Internet of Things systems, which refers to a network of interconnected devices that communicate with each other and exchange data over the internet.

"You're accessing your bank account with your phone, but then you go home and pull out a key? Keys have been around since dungeons existed," he said. "It's just educating consumers and slowly bringing them around to seeing, 'Wow this is more secure and more convenient, why do I have this bundle of old metal keys in my pocket?'"

Additionally, he said that in the future, GLO will integrate with drones and robots for threat mitigation, offering autonomous surveillance and police notifications.

He said that current video doorbells, like Amazon's Ring doorbell, ultimately function as "dormant devices," since consumers can only observe and describe events they see on the camera. While these devices are useful and work by using the technology he patented in 2003, he said, they are not true security systems with alarms, although they have been marketed as such.

Carter said GLO is intended to be more than just an e-commerce tool; it’s designed to enhance security with an external alarm system that activates before anyone enters the home. He said he plans to incorporate drones and robotics equipped with sirens, lights and police notification capabilities so that GLO can capture images of potential intruders in real-time, as demonstrated in a video on the company's website.

Who is Ron Carter?

Carter, a Fayetteville native, grew up across the street from his alma mater, E.E. Smith High School. After graduating in 1972, he attended North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro and said he dedicated his career to community development.

"Fayetteville is very dear to me," he said from his home in Charlotte.

He said he began his career at Fayetteville's Housing Authority until he was recruited in 1980 by Greensboro's Housing Authority, where he earned the President's Award for his performance. He said he's "never applied for a job," as his success led to roles in Winston-Salem's and then Charlotte's community development programs, where he served from 1995 until 2004. That same year, his invention of the technology used by Ring doorbells and others took off, prompting him to leave his housing career and focus entirely on technology.

Carter said he joined the Forbes Technology Council in 2021, an exclusive, invitation-only organization for technology professionals worldwide. He said the council publishes insights, offers peer reviews and provides educational content on technology.

Reporter Lizmary Evans covers growth and development for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville native who patented Ring doorbell technology set to launch new AI device