Traditional, physical keys and standard door peepholes have rapidly become obsolete in the face of the newest technologically advanced security systems. Now, individuals and businesses rely on smart locks and bells. But what are the benefits of smart locks and smart doorbell technology?
In short, this technology represents the newest home security system perfect for homeowners, businesses, and property managers. The technology provides a convenient and efficient way to monitor one’s property, ensuring higher control and awareness of any activity. Smart locks and bells operate on several connectivity methods and make a perfect fit for smart houses.
Overall, the smart locks market is currently at $1.95 billion worldwide, with North America bringing the biggest revenue share of 39.8% in 2021. The market is expected to experience a 19.5% growth from 2022 to 2030. The smart doorbell market demonstrates even better statistics. Here, the global market value reached $3,5 billion in 2022 with a CAGR expectancy of 33.4% from 2023 to 2030.
The popularity and demand for such technology are self-evident at this point. Overall, it is the perfect time to enter the niche with your product.
This guide will provide you with everything you should know about such development. Let’s see why people need this smart technology, where it is commonly used, who the top players on the market are, and more.
What are smart locks?
Smart locks are an electromechanical keyless entrance system. People can replace traditional locks with smart ones or install them as an additional security measure. To access the system one may use a numeric code, voice control, fingerprints, and mobile apps. The smart lock system is often used in private households and businesses like hotels and offices.
Property owners can use smart locks for bedroom doors, garages, front doors, closets, or any other room inside the home. Such a system allows an easy and secure entrance system which gives them a higher level of control over their properties.
Benefits of smart locks
The rising popularity of smart lock systems is easy to explain. This home and office security option comes with numerous benefits. See the top six smart locks benefits.
1. Accessibility & Convenience
This new keyless technology is simple and convenient to use, which is why many people have switched to it. With no key needed, there is no chance to lose them or no need to make multiple copies for family, friends, or, in the case of an office, office employees. Instead, people can use applications or special codes.
2. Remote control
Users can monitor and control their doors remotely via a wireless connection. One may control the lock directly with an app or send codes or an E-key to visitors. So, you can let people in even being miles away from an office or home. Also, you can monitor your door status whenever you have concerns.
3. Notifications
A smart home lock system can notify you of any unusual activity, like when the door remains unlocked for a long period of time, when someone else uses the lock at unusual hours, when a wrong code is entered, etc. Plus, each family member or employer can have a personalized code, so it is possible to track each entrance. Overall, notification settings can vary depending on your needs, lock type, and preferences.
4. Security
A keyless door is much harder to open. In this case, breaking the lock is not an option. Of course, cybersecurity remains an issue. However, homeowners shouldn’t worry that random burglars can hack their locks. Additionally, a smart lock system for home can be customized to your needs, including enhancing security options or changing codes as frequently as necessary.
5. Versatility
People can install any smart lock at any door, regardless of its size, type, or other criteria. It is not the case with most traditional locks. Hence, not only can you secure the front door, but install such locks at any door in the home.
6. Platforms integration
Lastly, IoT-enabled smart locks make a perfect addition to smart homes. Most current products on the market are compatible with at least some smart home platforms, making it easier to monitor and control homes via devices.
How do smart locks work?
A smart lock operates similarly to regular ones. However, they can usually be opened only by special codes or via smartphone applications without needing an actual key. Hence, a person can always have control over their doors. Additionally, it prevents situations such as when someone locks themselves out, loses their keys, etc.
Overall, there are four types of locks, each operating slightly different from one another. Let’s see what they are:
- Deadbolt lock: Using a solid piece of metal to secure the door, this first type is one of the simplest and traditional versions of a lock.
- Lever: In this case, the bolt is controlled by the lever mechanism.
- Interconnected: Such locks consist of a deadbolt and levers which operate simultaneously to unlock the door.
- Mortise: this type requires a pocket cut in the door to fit the system’s core. It operates with a deadbolt and a latch.
Of course, any given type requires a WiFi, Z-Wave, or Bluetooth connection to work. The best smart lock system will usually have built-in options, so there is no need for adapters.
Examples of smart locks
Many businesses and startups have considered entering the smart door lock system market. However, there are certain top players in the niche that are worth mentioning.
Lets take a look at the top three examples of the best smart locks currently available.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
This small, easy-to-use smart lock is a perfect match for apartments and offices. It is your typical deadbolt adapter with already integrated Wi-Fi for convenience and speed. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock also comes with no restriction on code numbers, making it a great security tool for offices, warehouses, and other large businesses.
Yet the simplicity in design and installation also makes it a perfect match for private home owners, especially with Google Home and Apple HomeKit technology. On the downside, the system has no alarm or a keypad (it comes as a separate purchase).
Yale Assure Lock 2
A simple and elegant solution to door security. This smart lock looks like a plain numeric keyboard at first glance, but don’t let it fool you. It is a great and reliable option for home security. This model is particularly known for extended compatibility with almost all existing smart home solutions.
It also comes with an app supported on Apple or Android devices. These smart locks for home come without an alarm but they have no limit in codes.
Schlage Encode Plus
This smart lock comes with a modern sensor keyboard, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and the ability to list 100 codes. The limited number of codes are inconvenient for large offices but suit private property owners. This model is most suited for Apple fans since it is most compatible with their products.
Nevertheless, as with most top-selling locks, it will also work with AI assistants, like Alexa, Siri, etc. However, with Apple products, users can regulate the lock using just a smartwatch.
What are smart doorbells?
We’ve already covered smart door locks for home and offices, but what about smart doorbells? Lets first answer the questions, what is a smart doorbell, and how does a smart doorbell work? To put it simply, it’s an extended and more technologically advanced option for a door peephole.
However, in the new version, residents can have a better look at their visitors and talk to them, even when they are not at home. So it is a home security system that monitors the area via an installed camera. It works in real-time and can record and store door interactions.
Usually, the recording begins under two circumstances. First, a person can activate the doorbell by interacting with it. Secondly, cameras turn on automatically by recognizing movement via sensors. Some systems combine both options. As soon as a visitor’s presence is acknowledged, a homeowner receives a notification on their smartphone. Next, a person can take certain actions, such as ignoring the call, answering it, or opening the door. The latter requires the smart lock and doorbell system to work together.
Benefits of smart doorbells
Most people choose instant smart doorbells for safety and convenience. Such a small piece of technology can ensure greater control over the home and the nearby area, allowing homeowners to monitor, record, and interact at a distance.
1. Convenience
You no longer need to be by the door to learn who is on the other side. A smart doorbell will inform you of any visitor and even let you communicate with them via an application. Now, you can give better delivery instructions at the door, know about all visitors, and open the door if you also have the smart lock option integrated.
2. Safety
The newest system significantly enhances the safety and security of your home. Now, homeowners know if anyone is on the porch right away. They don’t even need to be home for that. A live video feed provides all the information you need to make a judgment call. In addition, most cameras will deliver high-quality vision, so you can see who visits your home day or night.
Also, in general, burglars try to avoid homes with security cameras of any kind. For one, they won’t go unnoticed. Secondly, such recordings present undeniable evidence in court.
3. 24/7 monitoring
You don’t need to be home to know what is happening around it. Now, you can be sure when your kids return from school, if the dog walker picked up your pet at the appointed hour, etc. Such professional monitoring gives you better control over your home. Also, you can integrate the smart doorbell camera with other smart technology around your home.
Examples of smart doorbells
Seeing who is on the other side is only one out of many possibilities available with smart doorbells.
See the top smart doorbell options to learn what is trending on the market right now.
Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell
The best wide-angle camera on the market, Arlo Essential, offers 180-degree coverage, leaving no chances of blind spots. However, it doesn’t only see it all, but understands it all, too. Its strong recognition features don’t get triggered by any unimportant, external activities and, thus, has a low rate of false alarms.
However, the given function comes with a paid $5 subscription. Without it, the camera does minimal functions, like package reports, live streaming, and motion and bells alerts.
Google Nest Doorbell
Any commercial space, like offices and businesses, can also benefit from smart doorbells. Google took care of that. Its smart camera doorbell utilizes recent advances in AI technology to create an extra security layer, like face recognition. It also offers 24/7 monitoring and automatic cloud record storage.
However, there, the program will also categorize videos based on activities and people present, also due to AI advances. Overall, this highly advanced, self-sufficient camera may be a little much for home security but is ranked as the best smart doorbell for business security.
Eufy Security Video Doorbell 2K
This video doorbell cam has one of the best motion-detection abilities on the market. Property owners can set a security feature that distinguishes the types of motions and doesn’t react to unprogrammed activities like branch movement, birds, etc.
It focuses primarily on people. Once the camera registers such activity, it starts the recording process. It may last up to five minutes after being triggered. After the session, the camera saves all its recordings locally, so you don’t need to find extra cloud space for the files. However, its compatibility options are rather limited.
How to develop smart lock and doorbell systems
Often, smart doorbells and locks go hand in hand. So let’s run a quick Q&A on how to develop these two pieces of technology.
- What type of lock control should you use?
Smart locks use several control methods such as voice control, personalized numeric codes, biometric data, or mobile apps. You can find the most convenient method based on the locks’ use and purpose.
- How much control do you want over your home?
A smart security system may have such features as remote access and interaction, motion detection, face recognition, personalized code entrance, video recording, etc. The combination of these features determines the scope of control you have over the property.
- Should you develop smart door locks with a camera?
A smart lock can be paired with a camera to create video footage of your property. Such a combination is indeed rather common and in high demand.
- What type of access should your smart lock provide?
It should provide you with keyless direct or remote access.
- How to secure smart locks?
There are multiple ways to ensure a smart lock security system, from providing a backup power plan to creating complex passwords. Professional developers should be able to set several plans to better home security.
- What are the smart platform integration options?
The third part smart lock integration is an ultimate advantage. So, it’s best to create a product compatible with various platforms like Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or others.
- Should you develop an app for smart lock and doorbell systems?
Yes, you should. An app allows users to interact with the product, creating a more convenient and personalized experience. Such applications can be customized per user access and combine simple functions for lock interactions.
- What kind of wireless connectivity should a smart lock use?
Wireless connections like Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or Wi-Fi can all work for this smart technology.
Are you looking to develop a smart lock system?
With extensive experience in IoT development and smart home solutions in particular, our IoT experts can help you engineer a robust smart lock and doorbell system with security and high functionality in mind.
Our experience in smart lock system development
At Eastern Peak we have developed a smart-lock home entrance security system (DOORe) that totally eliminates the need for house keys.
DOORe is a Bluetooth-enabled smart lock that can be controlled using a smartphone app. The app allows users to lock and unlock the door remotely, check the lock status, and set up temporary access codes for guests.
At Eastern Peak we designed the DOORe smart lock with security in mind, incorporating features such as AES-256 encryption, two-factor authentication, and a tamper-proof design.
To ensure the success of the DOORe smart lock, we conducted extensive market research and worked closely with customers to identify their needs and preferences. We also partnered with leading manufacturers to source high-quality components and materials.
Conclusion
Smart door locks and camera doorbells are the new must-have security features for property owners and businesses. The demand for such technology is constantly growing, forcing the existing business to constantly advance and improve their products. However, the flexible and rather new market leaves plenty of room for strong startups and fresh ideas.
So, if you consider developing a smart video doorbell app or smart home door locks, the time is perfect. Contact our team of experts at Eastern Peak to book a free consultation and map the future course of action.
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About the author:
Oleg Roberman, Chief of Delivery at Eastern Peak
With strong technical background and outstanding project leadership skills, Oleg helps Eastern Peak customers introduce competitive advantages and instill productive changes in every process by resolving complex business issues and managing multicultural teams through innovation and creative thinking.
