Last month’s Custom Electronic Design and Installation
Association (CEDIA) trade show in Denver introduced hundreds of future
technologies in many different categories. One of these technologies was
Kwikset’s Kevo Bluetooth lock.
Kwikset is a manufacturer of locks and locksets that we see
on our doors on a daily basis. However, their new Kevo lock has a feature that
is not included in most locks we are used to seeing. The main and most
technologically advanced feature of the Kevo lock is that you can open it with
the touch of a finger.
 |
| The touch pad on the Kevo lock lights up when it has been unlocked Source: http://www.kwikset.com/Kevo/default.aspx?utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=buffer72eaa#.UlimSrR8zzI |
The Kevo lock works by turning your smartphone into an
electronic key (eKey). The user downloads the Kevo mobile app once and after
that it simply runs in the background, allowing the user to essentially forget
about it. This means the user never has to actually open the app in order to
unlock the door, they just need to have their phone. The combination of the app and Bluetooth allow
the deadbolt to recognize and respond to just the touch of a finger.
Aside from the obvious convenience of being able to open a
lock by just touching it, the Kevo lock has other features that have consumers
excited. Using the Kevo app, you can send an eKey to anyone that has a
Kevo-compatible smartphone. This means that other family members or even
someone visiting for the day can use the Kevo system to unlock the door. You
can easily set time restrictions on the eKey so that it will only allow that
person entrance for a certain amount of time. This is helpful when sending an
eKey to a guest who you don’t want to have permanent access to your home. The
Kevo lock also comes with a “fob”, which is a Bluetooth enabled device that
provides non-smartphone users with the same one touch convenience. The fob
comes pre-enrolled with the lock, so there is not additional setup required. It
is about the same size as a key, and simply just needs to be on the user in
order to open the lock. The only features that non-smartphone users would be
missing is access to the Kevo app, which is what allows you to send an eKey,
view lock activity, and manage other features of the lock.
The Kevo lock has many security measures in place to ensure
that it is just as safe as a regular lock that requires a key. For example, it
can detect if the authorized phone or fob is inside or outside of the house.
This means that even if the user’s phone is inside the house, an unauthorized
user outside wouldn’t be able to gain entrance into the house. The lock also
has SmartKey technology, which is “tested to the most stringent lock picking,
bumping and physical security standards”.
 |
| The fob allows non-smartphone users to have access to the Kevo lock too Source: http://www.kwikset.com/Kevo/default.aspx?utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer&utm_content=buffer72eaa#.UlimSrR8zzI |
Kevo is compatible with smartphone that support Bluetooth
Smart Ready/Bluetooth 4.0 hardware and have an available mobile app. However, the
app is only currently available for the iPhone 4s, 5, 5C, and 5S. It retails
for $219 and is available for pre-order on amazon.com, build.com, newegg.com,
and at Home Depot.
The video above demonstrates how the Kevo lock works
