Aqara, a provider of smart home solutions, has announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign for its new Smart Lock U200 on Kickstarter. The Smart Lock U200, which incorporates the latest Thread protocol and is Matter-enabled, is designed to integrate with a variety of smart home devices across different systems and brands. It offers multiple secure access methods, including fingerprints, PIN codes, mobile app access, voice commands, Aqara NFC cards, and traditional physical keys.
The company is currently working on adding HomeKey support, which would allow iOS users to unlock doors using an iPhone or Apple Watch. The U200 is set to be one of the first Matter-compatible locks that will support HomeKey unlocking upon receiving the necessary certification and subsequent OTA updates.
The U200 features a retrofit design for easy installation on existing doors, compatible with most European and North American doors, and can be attached to existing lock mechanisms using one of the provided adapters. The device is aimed at homeowners and renters who are interested in a keyless lifestyle while maintaining the option to use traditional keys.
The smart lock is powered by rechargeable Li-Ion batteries, with an estimated battery life of up to 6 months based on 8 cycles of fingerprint/NFC unlocking and locking per day. The accompanying wireless keypad is powered by AAA batteries or can be wired to an existing doorbell system. The keypad also has an IPX5 rating and can operate in a wide range of temperatures.
The U200 smart lock is designed to work with other smart home accessories for a more automated and customized smart home experience. It comes in three color options to match various home decors.
The Aqara Smart Lock U200 is available for pre-order on Kickstarter and is expected to be compatible with third-party Matter-enabled platforms such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant in the future. For more information, check out the Kickstarter here.
