Aqara has launched its Smart Lock U200 on Kickstarter, where you can currently nab the device for $209, down from the $249.99 it’ll cost you when it goes on sale later this year. According to the Kickstarter page, it will ship to backers in April.
The company debuted its new retrofit lock at the IFA 2023 tech show last summer; showcasing its Matter-over-Thread connectivity and separate Bluetooth keypad with a fingerprint reader and NFC built in. This gives you the option to unlock with digital codes, Aqara NFC cards, the Aqara app on your phone, and voice control with compatible voice assistants. That’s in addition to still being able to use your existing key.
Uniquely for a retrofit lock (where you don’t need to replace your existing door lock), the U200 can work with US-style deadbolts and European mortise locks. Most only work with one or the other. The lock also comes with a rechargeable battery that Aqara says can get a minimum of six months of battery life based on eight entries a day. That’s impressive. The wireless keypad uses four AAA batteries or can be wired to doorbell wiring.
brave to give your house keys to the Chinese Gov’t
Damn, the kickstarter is already sold out on every reward…
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Aqara has launched its Smart Lock U200 on Kickstarter, where you can currently nab the device for $209, down from the $249.99 it’ll cost you when it goes on sale later this year.
The company debuted its new retrofit lock at the IFA 2023 tech show last summer; showcasing its Matter-over-Thread connectivity and separate Bluetooth keypad with a fingerprint reader and NFC built in.
Other upgrades Aqara has promised include support for auto-unlocking, so your door unlocks as you approach, and Apple Home Key.
It says it’s waiting for certifications from Apple and plans to push the capability via an OTA update.
At CES this year, U-tec announced a new Matter-over-Thread lock but without Home Key support.
Yale has a Thread module for its older Assure SL lock that works with Matter but not Home Key.
The original article contains 589 words, the summary contains 136 words. Saved 77%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
Mmmmm Chinese 'smart’home devices. What could possibly be bad about that
