What Is The Meaning Of A Smart Lock?

Smart locks have gotten more and more popular. Homeowners were first wary of these locks when they came out promising keyless entry and the like. What was wrong with traditional locks and keys after all? Nowadays, everyone is jumping on the bandwagon of smart locks, smart homes and all the rest that comes with it. The amount of convenience these locks give play a pivotal role in their popularity.

The August smart lock allows homeowners to unlock their doors from far off lands, as well as see who’s on the doorstep. People can grant folks access to their home even when they’re away. This gives owners more control over their locks and better protection against unwarranted entry. You may think that you know your smart lock up and down, but do you really know how a smart lock does what it does?

A smart lock is a lock. It keeps intruders out and our valuables in. The ‘key’ to this kind of lock differs from traditional ones. In the case of a smart lock, wireless functions and cryptographic keys work the ol’ pin and tumbler process a bit differently. Smart locks are controlled by smartphones and smart homes, which send messages to the lock via wireless communication. These devices all need to be capable of sending and receiving data to one another. It’s also important that these transactions are kept secure from involved devices.

Cryptographic keys keep the info shared between smart devices private. They keep data transmissions secure. Without these keys, the use of smart locks would be greatly compromised.

Three things happen when you tap to work a smart lock on your home. First, the transmission with the command is sent. Then, that transmission is deciphered by the receiving smart device. Finally, that data is carried through in whatever action you requested. Smart locks can be adapted to work concurrently with other smart devices, which is why they can often fit seamlessly into a smart home.

Smart locks have two main parts that contain many sub parts. The two main parts are the hardware and the software. The hardware is the physical lock itself while the software is the tech that makes it run. These two parts must work together seamlessly in order for a smart lock to be effective. The smart lock’s physical capacity is similar to that of any lock, except the components must be able to respond to a wireless message rather than the tooth of a key. Smart locks often use deadbolts, which are locks that offer the highest security to your home. The grade of deadbolt in your lock can vary from Grade 1(strongest) to Grade 3 (weakest).

A smart lock can’t work on software alone. The hardware part is just as important. Beyond the data connection that enables the lock to move, the hardware of a smart lock contains all other necessary parts to the mechanism. This is the biggest reason why smart locks differ from electronic locks. While electronic locks run on current, smart locks work seamlessly through a Wi-Fi connection, not inherently dependent on any physical state.

Like anything, there must be good smart locks and bad smart locks, right? A lot of it depends on you and your personal needs. Some people like to combine smart locks with a still functioning deadbolt for the best of both worlds. Other homeowners completely get rid of the traditional lock for a completely keyless experience.

Your smart device sends messages through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Z-wave to your lock at home. These messages are heavily encrypted, deterring any external interference. Your lock can either be powered by batteries or an electric current. When not in use, the locks go into a power saving mode until a transmission is sent. The message activates the pins and tumblers of the physical lock on your door depending on the content of your transmission.

Smart locks also need to work with other applications that enable owners to utilize helpful add-ons to the smart lock model, including giving access to visitors and unlocking from a faraway location. A smart lock can also track the activity of your lock for reference.

Smart locks have many benefits – some are security-related while others help from a convenience angle. These features are determined by the kind of smart lock you have as well.

1. Smart locks can be made a part of an existing smart home or home security system. This enables more control as well as other smart actions regarding your home, like remotely controlling the oven.
2.  Smart locks can be controlled remotely.
3. You can give people access to your home for a predetermined amount of time.
4. It’s harder to lose your key -let’s be real. Nowadays smartphones are literally an extension of the hand.
5.  You can keep track of access activity.

Smart locks have their cons as well as their pros. Tech is always developing, so it makes sense that there will be a few shortcomings to consider. Hopefully these issues are addressed as smart lock technology advances.

1. When the power goes out so do your locks. This is a leading issue with smart locks as the use of your lock depends on two different power sources (your phone and the lock itself.)
2. Compatibility with existing smart technology can be a real annoyance when incorporating a smart lock. Not to mention, it can be costly to make everything fit together in the event that the data doesn’t match.
3. Going completely keyless is more of an ideal at this point than a reality. Smart locks still depend on external factors that can be unreliable, necessitating the use of the old fashioned way every once in a while. Also, the use of smart lock technology on your phone can give a big hit to battery power.

Smart locks are a new technology that is growing and changing every day. The ability to control our locks remotely has changed the way people think of home security. Who knows what we’ll soon see as innovation and advancement in this field increase> However, there is still a wariness about these products on the level of security that has not been completely done with. It may be a while until the public truly accepts smart locks as a trustworthy tool rather than an interesting alternative. Nevertheless, smart locks are here to stay, and I hope you’re now excited to see what will become of them.