Improvements in lock technology have two simple goals: convenience and security. With this in mind, producers of new connected locks are making them simpler and smarter. Connected Home looks at the latest trends in the industry.

For hundreds of years, lock technology has improved incrementally. The Mortise lock was invented in 1865, but didn’t enter common use until 1900. The next big development didn’t occur for another quarter century, when the cylindrical key-in-knob lockset was developed. It was another 50 years before the invention of the cylindrical deadbolt.

Nowadays, developments are coming thick and fast as locks, doors and gates are integrated into the automated home.

ASSA ABLOY product manager of integrated technologies Kerby Rojas explains: “A door lock is the entry point of a home, as well as to the numerous other connected home applications that help to make the resident’s life easier.”

If the home controller is the brain, a wireless digital lock is like a nerve that sends commands back to base. By connecting to a home automation hub, a smart lock can alert the system to turn on lights when the owner arrives home after dark or power-down certain systems within the home when the owner leaves.

To survey market trends and what’s coming up, Connected Home looked at some of the new locks on the market: The Wireless Digital Deadbolt from Lockwood by ASSA ABLOY, the Kwikset SmartCode916 Touch Screen Electronic Deadbolt and the Kwikset Kevo Deadbolt – a Bluetooth-enabled device that syncs with your smart phone.

The Lockwood Wireless Digital Deadbolt is the first wireless lock in the company’s range to feature a digital touch screen, specifically designed for the Australian market. It incorporates the popular ZigBee and Z-Wave communications capabilities, meaning it is compatible with most home automation control systems.

“ASSA ABLOY has designed and released several locks incorporating a wide set of features that are suitable for all levels of the industry. And we will continue to design digital locks in accordance with what consumers are looking for. The success of our products is dependent on this,” Kerby says.

When speaking with representatives from ASSA ABLOY and Kwikset, several trends became apparent: they are dedicated to improving the appearance and size of locks; improvements to ease of installation; protection against lock bumping; and, improved connectivity with third party control systems.

Many of these advances in lock technologies are simple – but effective. For example, the Kwikset SmartCode916 is fitted with a touch screen keypad that wirelessly connects with a third party control system.

“We are continuing to move toward aesthetically pleasing locks that can blend with a home design and style – not just futuristic-looking gadgets,” says Kwikset director of residential access solutions Keith Brendon.

With this in mind, the SmartCode916 has an inconspicuous LED light, while the Kevo has just a small ring of light around the lock.

To further improve the appearance of locks, they’re getting smaller. As locks and access panels are so often on the front door or gate and help form visitors’ impression of the house, home owners don’t want a large lock detracting from the look of their home.

“The SmartCode916 has a dramatically reduced interior size, for increased aesthetic appeal,” Keith says.

Despite the technological advances they contain, the new smart locks aim to be as simple as possible to install. Both Kwikset and Lockwood digital locks run on batteries, to avoid the need for hardwiring and an electrician during installation, and require only elementary DIY skills to install the hardware.

“The Lockwood Digital Locks are incredibly easy to install in a new fit applications. They can also replace existing mechanical locks making the upgrade easier for the end user,” Kerby says.

Keith adds, “The SmartCode916 replaces existing door hardware with just a screwdriver. It can be installed in less than 15 minutes.”

We’re inclined to believe this claim; Connected Home editor Paul Skelton previously managed to install a digital deadbolt at home in less than 30 minutes, despite a near total lack of DIY skills.

The ease of installation reduces the time – and thus cost – of setting up a lock within a home automation system.

As with any aspect of home automation these days, the most interesting developments concern the lock as a part of the Internet of Things (IoT). A digital lock can communicate with other devices to make life more liveable, from ensuring the right lights turn on when the owner comes home at night through to sending out a notification when a cleaner has left. Again, the emphasis is on improving convenience and security.

Internet-connected locks also offer remote access and locking.

“Remote locking gives home owners the ability to control the lock and all the other devices in their smart home remotely. For example, they can use their smart phone to lock the front door, or close the garage door if they’ve accidentally left it open,” Keith says.

Z-Wave module

Remote access can be used to unlock the door for guests and tradespeople. However, that’s not all. The Lockwood Wireless Digital Deadbolt, Kwikset SmartCode916 and the Kevo can store upwards of 30 unique user codes, which can be scheduled to only work at certain set times.

“By assigning specific user codes to invited guests, home owners can not only control who is authorised to enter the home, but can also create a schedule that allows entry into the home during preset times. For example, a contractor can be granted entry access on Monday between 2pm and 3pm,” Keith says.

Kerby adds, “Together with a home automation system the user can create various scenarios and achieve different results.

“One of the most popular configurations we’ve encountered is home owners using their digital lock as the main control centre for a Z-Wave/ZigBee-enabled alarm system. The user can activate or deactivate their alarm system just by entering a specific code into the lock.”

Kevo operates in a similar manner, although it uses E-keys on the lock’s app, rather than codes.

“We have an electronic key you can send to family and friends with a smart phone so they can use it as a key,” a spokesperson says.

In addition to controlling when people can come and go, the home owner can be notified of when they arrive and leave. This can have a number of benefits, from parents being notified that teenage children have arrived home safe (and even alone, if the lock is connected via the control system to a camera) to ensuring the best service is being received from a cleaner.

“If a cleaner says it takes them three hours to clean the house and you see they have exited after an hour and a half, you’ll know they are charging too much,” the Kevo spokesperson says.

All about security

Scarily, the vast majority of Australian homes use standard cylinder locks that are often susceptible to attacks from lock bumping.

Zigbee module.

Lock bumping uses a specialised key to ‘bump’ the drive pins past the shear line of the lock for a brief moment, allowing the cylinder to rotate and granting access to the house.

Both of Kwikset’s new locks have BumpGuard technology to protect home owners from lock bumping.

“The BumpGuard component incorporates a patented side-locking bar which replaces the traditional pin and tumbler design,” Keith explains.

As for ASSA ABLOY, the company’s products use a bump resistant technology called KINETIC DEFENCE, which consists of a set of driver pins that together with tight manufacturing tolerances increases the security of the cylinder by resisting bump and picking manipulation.

“We also believe to further reduce the risk of manipulation of the key system, locks should be completely keyless,” Kerby says.

“This offers the true benefit of not carrying any credentials (mobiles, keys, cards, etc). The Lockwood 001 Touch is our keyless solution, and there will be others soon, including digital deadbolts where a key won’t be necessary.

Into the Future

Additional developments are in the not-too-distant future. Biometrics – using unique traits such as fingerprints, irises, or even DNA as a key – may seem like the stuff of movies, but it is already in use in government and high-end commercial security.

“From my point of view, the human body will be the key in the future. Whether that is through biometrics, the brain, or eyes, they are going to be the key because they are unique. It’s the only thing people can’t replace or recreate a copy,” Kerby says.

Keith agrees and says there’s already a way for this to be implemented.

“We want to continue to look at different means of authentication. We see what smart phones are doing with fingerprint identification and can appreciate the convenience and enhanced security of that kind of authentication,” he says.

Other advances could also be made in the way locks and access panels are powered.

“Looking into the future, I can foresee new innovations in power. How do you optimise power into a motorised device on the door? Could you self-generate? Could you use solar? How do you find ways to make the lock more self-sustainable?”

Developers, suppliers and users are asking these and similar questions of locking technology, pushing the boundaries of hardware and software, all the while improving the security and convenience of homes.