All you need to know about smart locks
Bec Summer
STACK Writer
For thousands of years, doors have been locked and unlocked with a form of mechanism utilising a key. Now, history has indeed been left in the past as more and more people turn to smart locks.
It feels like technology lifted from the pages of an Arthur C. Clarke sci-fi novel. A front door lock is opened by a fingerprint or a PIN code. But that future is now, and smart locks have become an effective tool for our busy modern lives.
What is a smart lock?
In short, a smart lock is a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (sometimes both) enabled lock that can be operated using a PIN code, a fingerprint (biometrics), a smartphone app, or even your voice!
How do they work?
All brands have a companion app, and this is the smart lock nerve centre. The app contains many features where users can lock or unlock the door, issue temporary PIN codes for tradespeople, assign separate codes for visiting relatives or the dog walker, and set up geofencing so that the door unlocks automatically when the user is in proximity.
The features on a Bluetooth-enabled smart lock can only be accessed when the smart device is within range of Bluetooth connectivity. However, if the smart lock is connected to the home network via Wi-Fi, the user has complete control of the lock – and its features - whether they’re in Melbourne or Manchester.
Some smart locks require a bridge to connect the device to the home network, while others have Wi-Fi built into the unit. Most are powered with a rechargeable battery, and battery life can be monitored via the app (typically, low-power warnings will be sent as a notification).
And many feature a hidden traditional key slot and/or a micro-USB port for a battery pack should the lock need temporary power to open.
What are the benefits?
First and foremost, it alleviates the need to carry a key and eliminates the possibility of forgetting or losing it. And you don’t have to worry about locking yourself out or hiding a key under the plant pot. The door can be unlocked remotely to let a friend in, and custom codes can be assigned for temporary visitors.
Automatic unlocking through geofencing and voice activation offers convenience for hands laden with shopping or children, and users can monitor who comes and goes through the app.
Some smart locks even include a built-in camera to check who’s at the door. And if you leave the house without remembering to lock the door, a Wi-Fi-connected smart lock can be remotely locked through a smart device with a sweep of the finger.
Are they difficult to install?
Most smart locks have been configured to fit existing locks, so if you – or someone you know – are familiar with the basics of a toolbox, installation shouldn’t cause too many issues.
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