Could this design do away with door keys?
Fed up rooting through your bag for your keys? Or wondering where in the house you've left them? Well, this new electronic lock, which you can control with your smartphone, could be the answer to your problems.
You probably don't want to know how much of your lifetime you spend searching for door keys - it's bound to be a depressing figure after all. But there is good news: a new design innovation by San Francisco-based design company August could put an end to those maddening hunts for errant keys, buy eliminating the need for keys altogether.
The August Smart Lock is an electronic lock-operating system that links to an app that can be controlled through your smart phone. This means you can do away with physical keys altogether, and even give (and take away) spare 'digital keys' to friends, babysitters, dog-walkers - anyone you like.
According to the company, which is an off-shoot of design consultancy fuseproject, the brief was simple: 'to reimagine the old lock-and-key system and create a home-entry experience that is both seamless and secure.'
The result is a simple, cylindrical unit that fits with your original door - and lock, and can be controlled using a smartphone, which you're far less likely to misplace than a small bunch of keys.
According to the designers, the aim was to create a product that is functionally and visually integrated into the home. 'Not an eyesore, not a tech product that calls for attention. Instead we designed August as a trusted and reliable lock, whose physical and digital presence is about discretion and not interruption.
'It is "safe" as it allows encrypted control of the door to its owners, it is "simple" to live with for all members of the household, and "social" as it is easy to invite family, friends and services to be a part of home life.'
There's no need to replace your existing deadbolt - or refit your door. Instead, the small cylindrical unit fit into the interior of your door.
It is designed to be easy to install too.
'The contents are surprisingly minimal: a few adaptors, mounting plates, and an installation manual,' say the designers. 'There are no screws in the box as we were able to minimize the amount of steps for installation with a clever mechanism that mounts the lock to the door. The product is designed to fit in with home decor, with four colour options to complement different styles and a clean cylindrical look that fits anywhere.'
The app features all of the owner's keys, and granted guest keys in one simple screen called the "Keychain." Additionally, the user can send "digital keys" to friends, visitors, dog--walkers, nannies, or anyone they'd like, either granting full or partial access in specific time slots - it's as easy as sending a text message.
August uses the same encryption technology as high-security banks, recognising your phone as you approach your door and automatically unlocking it for you. But because the existing exterior deadbolt is in place, you can still use keys to get in.
