French smart solutions company, Netatmo has launched a smart door lock and keys, giving homeowners a new secure door entry option.
Launched at CES, the Netatmo Smart Door Lock has already won an award in the ‘Home Appliances’ category at the CES 2020 Innovation Awards.
In order to keep homeowner’s habits the same, the smart door lock comes with three keys and are used in the same way as a conventional lock and key. However, the keys are smart and can be programmed and managed through the Netatmo app.
The app on a smartphone can also be used to unlock the door if the user would prefer that method or it can be used as a back up if the key if lost or the homeowner is locked out.
This is also useful for people who have staff such as cleaners or gardeners coming to the house, or if the house is rented as an Airbnb or holiday let, as the homeowner can send an invitation to the guest via the app with a unique code that will allow them to get into the house. This will stay active until the homeowner revokes the invitation.
Using the app, users can also control the physical keys. If a key is lost or stolen, the owner can deactivate the key through the app to ensure no one can get into the house. It also allows owners to buy extra keys if needed and programme them to the door lock, instead of having to get a locksmith involved.
Security-focused, the smart door lock is designed to withstand physical and electronic attacks. It has obtained the A2P (France), BZ+ (Germany), and SKG (Holland) security certifications, the demanding industry standards met only by the most secure locks in Europe.
Working only via Bluetooth, the system does not connect to the internet, keeping everything stored locally. It uses NFC to interact with the smart keys, which are tamper-proof and impossible to duplicate.
The door lock includes an accelerometer which senses vibrations that would be caused by an attempted break in. Users can access the front door usage history via the app, when they are within Bluetooth range of the door lock, so they can see whether an intruder has tried to force their door.
Heleen de Waal, product marketing manager, Netatmo said: “The door lock is compatible with Apple HomeKit, which you can use to set scenarios. For example, you can set a scenario that says, ‘when somebody is tampering with my door lock, trigger the alarm’. If the homeowner has an Apple Hub, a notification can then be sent to the user’s smartphone in real time to notify them of a possible break in attempt.”
“The Netatmo Smart Door Lock and Keys enhance home security, and offer our customers unrivalled freedom,” explains Fred Potter, founder of Neatmo and CTO of the Eliot program of Legrand. “They can open and close their doors using their smartphones, and they no longer have to wait hours for a locksmith if they leave their keys at the office or inside the house.
“Designed to withstand physical and electronic attacks, the smart door lock has obtained the strictest industry certifications. Netatmo’s latest innovation meets a growing user need for useful, reliable, subscription-free products.”
Straightforward to install, this lock is an off-the-shelf device that can be fitted by the homeowner as a replacement of an existing cylinder door lock.
Multiple smart locks can be installed into a home, for example on a front door, a garage door, or even a door at the owner’s workplace. The locks can also be programmed to have just one key for all the locks, eliminating a bulky bunch of keys.
Wirelessly powered, the smart door lock has a two year battery life. When batteries are low, the lock emits an alternative lock/unlock sound to notify homeowners that the battery is low. It also sends a notification to the user’s smartphone when within Bluetooth range.
If the lock has completely run out of battery, the user can use a backup micro-USB connection situated underneath the outdoor handle to open the door and replace the batteries.
As with all Netatmo products, the door lock is a standalone product. De Waal stated: “Homeowner’s do not need to purchase a home hub for this product to work. All of the features also come with the device for free so there is no extra costs for anything else once you’ve bought the product.”
AS previously mentioned, it is HomeKit enabled and can be programmed to carry out scenarios, such as turning the lights on when the lock is unlocked and turning the lights off when the door is locked.