Lockitron

Lockitron
Also known as Lockitron
Manufacturer Apigy Inc.
Introductory price 99 to 179 USD depending on model and accessories
Connectivity WiFi
Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy
Power 4AA Batteries, lasting for 6 months
Website lockitron.com

Lockitron is a device which can lock and unlock deadbolt locks via remote control, typically a smartphone.[1][2] The device is made by Apigy, a start-up based in Mountain View, California.

Multiple models of Lockitron have been manufactured, including one that fits over the lock control mechanism on the inside of a door, and the door can then be unlocked via an app on the phone, or via web page control. Phones with Bluetooth Low Energy (4.0) can also automatically unlock a door when an authenticated device is nearby.[3] A supplied NFC tag can be read to trigger a command to toggle the state of the lock.[4]

Virtual "keys" can also be created for guests or repair contractors etc., which allows access to the home. The virtual keys can be distributed over the internet on demand, and can also be revoked on demand.[5] The door can also be locked or unlocked via an SMS "key" for those without smartphones.[6]

The original lock continues to work with traditional keys.[7] When a traditional key is used, the device can send a notification to a smartphone.[8]

The device also exposes a web-accessible API, and is built around an ATMega microprocessor meaning that it is Arduino compatible for other custom behavior. Lockitron also supports integration with Doorbot (replaced by the Ring Video Doorbell which also supports Lockitron), a doorbell system that sends video and voice from the door to a smartphone.[9] It can also integrate with Lumawake, and will automatically lock your doors when Lumawake detects you are asleep.[10] Other devices that have promised integration with Lockitron include the SmartThings Hub which will lock or unlock the device based on preprogrammed rules and the Pebble Smartwatch which will connect to Lockitron directly over Bluetooth Low Energy to use the Pebble watch as a key.[11]

Development

Apigy originally offered a full replacement door lock version of Lockitron in 2011 before announcing a version of Lockitron in 2012 which fit over preexisting deadbolt locks.[7][12][13] The 2012 version of Lockitron incorporated a number of improvements over the 2011 Lockitron deadbolt including built-in WiFi, replacing a wired basestation, built-in auto-unlock technology through Bluetooth Low Energy as well as a simplified installation by making Lockitron a device that fits over a preexisting deadbolt lock.[14]

Lockitron was rejected from Kickstarter, after they changed their policies regarding hardware funding.[15] The creators claim the rejection was due to Lockitron's status as a "home improvement" product, but this has not been confirmed by Kickstarter.[16] After their rejection, the founders of Apigy, Cameron Robertson and Paul Gerhardt, built their own crowdfunding website in a matter of days and used it to garner over 1.5 million USD in preorders during the first week of their campaign in October 2012.[17] Apigy subsequently open sourced their crowdfunding software as Selfstarter, an alternative crowdfunding site.[16][18][19] Selfstarter was used in the successful Tile crowdfunding campaign and later formed the basis of Crowdhoster and CrowdTilt Open.[20][21] Apigy was a graduate of the Y Combinator start-up accelerator.[22]

Current status

In February 2014, the Lockitron model announced in October 2012 had not yet shipped in substantial numbers.[23] In early 2015, Apigy announced its new product, Lockitron Bolt, as a replacement for the 2012 Lockitron and that it had ceased production of the 2012 Lockitron due to manufacturing and product issues.[24] Lockitron Bolt is priced at 99 USD and offers Bluetooth only connectivity in comparison to its predecessor which was priced at 179 USD and offered built-in WiFi; an optional 79 USD device called Bridge connects Lockitron Bolt to WiFi networks giving it the same remote capabilities as the 2012 Lockitron.[25][26][27]

In late 2015 Apigy announced that the first Lockitron Bolt devices would ship 24 November 2015 while also announcing an add-on to Lockitron Bolt, Keypad.[28] A subsequent update indicated that the first unit had shipped and showed a number of components in production but did not indicate an detailed timeline for when the remaining units owed to backers would ship.[29] The most recent update released by Apigy in April 2016 notes all domestic Quicksilver Lockitron Bolts have shipped, but any orders with the new Bridge have not shipped yet.[30]

References

  1. ↑ "The Goods: August 2011's Hottest Gadgets".
  2. ↑ "Lockitron". DIY Network.
  3. ↑ "Lockitron launches iPhone-controlled keyless lock that pings you when someone knocks (video)".
  4. ↑ Grove, Jennifer Van. "Use Your Phone To Lock & Unlock Doors From Anywhere in the World".
  5. ↑ "Tools of Entry, No Need for a Key Chain". The New York Times. 4 July 2011.
  6. ↑ "Lockitron: Unlock Your Home With Your Cellphone".
  7. 1 2 Burns, Matt. "YC-Alum Lockitron Is Back With A New Kit That Allows Smartphones To Control Dumb Deadbolts".
  8. ↑ "Nothing found for 2013 01 21 How Houses Are Getting Smarter More Connected".
  9. ↑ "Home Automation Future and Present: WiFi Lightbulbs, Speakers and Doorlocks". 14 February 2013.
  10. ↑ Brian, Matt (11 December 2012). "Lumawake & Lockitron Partner to Lock Your Doors The Minute You Fall Asleep".
  11. ↑ "One Day Left to Reserve Lockitron for $149".
  12. ↑ Tsotsis, Alexia. "Lockitron Lets You Unlock Your Door With Your Phone".
  13. ↑ "New Lockitron, the Keyless Lock, Will Message Your iPhone When Someone Knocks".
  14. ↑ White, Charlie. "Lockitron Lets You Unlock the Door With Your iPhone [VIDEO]".
  15. ↑ "Kickstarter Is Not a Store".
  16. 1 2 Contributor. "The Story Of Lockitron: Crowdfunding Without Kickstarter".
  17. ↑ CNBC.com, Erin Horan (8 October 2012). "Lockitron: How a Startup Overcame Kickstarter's Rejection".
  18. ↑ "Rejected Kickstarter Projects Build Their Own Success Stories".
  19. ↑ "lockitron/selfstarter".
  20. ↑ "Updating Crowdhoster: Building Accessible, Open-Source Crowdfunding". 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2016-10-05.
  21. ↑ "Crowdtilt/CrowdtiltOpen". GitHub. Retrieved 2016-10-05.
  22. ↑ "Y Combinator Companies". www.ycombinator.com. Retrieved 2016-10-05.
  23. ↑ Lomas, Natasha. "Lockitron Still Hasn't Shipped To Most Backers Over A Year After Its $2.2M Crowdfunding Effort".
  24. ↑ Popper, Ben (2015-01-27). "A crowdfunded startup explains why crowdfunding can be a complete disaster". The Verge. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  25. ↑ "So long, Lockitron version 1.0, hello Lockitron Bolt". Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  26. ↑ Russell, Kyle. "Lockitron Announces The $99 Bolt, A Deadbolt You Can Unlock With Your Phone". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  27. ↑ Higginbotham, Stacey (2015-01-27). "Lockitron revamps its smart lock with a price cut and new design". gigaom.com. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  28. ↑ "Shipping November 24th, Finishes and Bolt Keypad". Lockitron Blog. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  29. ↑ "Bolt #000001 Heads Out the Door". Lockitron Blog. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  30. ↑ "Order Progress, Send us a Text, Lockitron Reviews". Lockitron.

External links

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