In an exciting development for smart home aficionados, U-tec has announced the arrival of its latest smart lock, the Ultraloq Bolt Mission. This advanced device leverages cutting-edge Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, alongside other features designed to enhance both security and convenience.
Seamless Hands-Free Unlocking
The Ultraloq Bolt Mission aims to revolutionize the smart lock market by offering automatic unlock functionality when approached with an Android smartphone. An equivalent feature for iPhone users is expected to arrive by 2025. A specific release date and pricing details remain undisclosed, with the product tentatively slated for later this year.
Advanced Connectivity Options
Apart from UWB, the Bolt Mission incorporates various wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi and NFC. These features enable users to unlock the device by tapping their NFC-capable Android phones. Complementing these modern technologies is a traditional keypad for PIN access and a mechanical key option as a backup.
The device is powered by eight AA batteries, which support its UWB, NFC, and Wi-Fi functions for up to a year.
Integrative Smart Home Compatibility
Matter, the connectivity standard that allows various smart home devices to interact seamlessly across different platforms, enhances the Bolt Mission’s functionality. This integration ensures compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings, enabling remote access and control of the smart lock.
Pioneering UWB Technology
According to U-tec, the Bolt Mission is the first smart lock to use UWB radio technology. UWB offers high-resolution spatial awareness, allowing it to measure distances with impressive accuracy. This technology is already utilized in Apple’s iPhone for its Precision Finding feature in the Find My app, which helps locate misplaced AirTags.
By combining UWB and NFC, the Bolt Mission accurately identifies the user’s proximity, ensuring that only authorized individuals can unlock the device.
Future HomeKit Integration
While the smart lock can currently be used with Apple’s Home app for creating scenes and automations, it doesn’t yet support Apple’s Home Key for tap-to-unlock. However, U-tec announced that this feature will be included in the new Aliro smart access standard, which is expected by early 2025. This will ultimately allow for hands-free unlocking via iPhone without the need to take the device out of your pocket.
Setting the Stage for Competitors
The introduction of UWB technology in the Bolt Mission sets a precedent that could spur competitors like Aqara, August, Level, Lockly, SwitchBot, and Yale to adopt similar advancements. Given that UWB offers not only superior precision but also heightened reliability compared to Bluetooth and GPS, it may soon become the new standard in smart lock technology.
Source: U-tec