A Lock that Interacts with Bluetooth

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Apr 12, 2013

I never knew that residential locks could be so fascinating, until I met with Kwikset at ISC West 2013, a lock company that has a residential focus to the connected home space with the goal of enhancing value to consumers. Kwikset locks utilize Z-Wave, a wireless mesh ecosystem that allows home electronics to communicate with each other, and to the owner, via remote control, or ZigBee, a suite of communication protocols that use low-power, digital radio technology to transmit data, both of which present plug-and-play devices that seamlessly integrate.

Not on the market as of yet, and without a proper name, Kwikset introduced their Bluetooth-enabled residential lock to me. This lock resembles a regular deadbolt locking system; however, it provides a functional convenience that adds lifestyle benefits. No longer will you have to have a regular, metal key to unlock and lock your home, nor will you have to spend time fumbling at your door with full hands, searching for keys that are lost in your bag. This solution allows your Bluetooth device and the radio-powered lock to be synced and communicate.

So, what exactly does this mean for you? Well, you can literally lock and unlock your home with one touch. With your smartphone in proximity to the Bluetooth-enabled lock, in a pocket or a bag, simply touch the metal casing once to lock and once again to unlock your door.

This product is scheduled to come to market during the second quarter. It will retail at approximately $200 and will include:

  • The stand-alone lock;
  • A free app that allows you to send an electronic key to another person's smart phone, allowing immediate entry into your home by touch;
  • A Bluetooth fob that unlocks your door; and
  • Two electronic keys.

The Bluetooth-enabled lock offers simplistic, one-to-one, total access control that will incorporate Z-Wave technology at a later date.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.