U-tec’s new smart lock will use ultra-wideband (UWB) technology to automatically unlock your door as you approach it. Auto-unlock features previously offered by U-tec and others combined BLE, Wi-Fi and GPS and could be unreliable and slow. Ultraloq Bolt Mission UWB Plus NFC is the first smart lock to utilize UWB, which promises a simpler, faster, and more reliable experience.
In addition to UWB, the new lock works over Wi-Fi and Matter, and can be unlocked via NFC. At launch, it will work with NFC-enabled Android phones, and U-tec says it will support Apple’s home button click-to-activate feature once it’s available through Matter.
If you don’t want to use any of these novel entry methods, a complete door lock replacement smart lock also has a keypad for PIN access and uses a traditional key. It’s powered by eight AA batteries, which the company says have a battery life of up to a year. The Bolt mission will arrive later this year, but pricing has not yet been announced.
The same technology used in digital car keys, UWB allows your compatible phone or watch to talk directly to the lock over a short distance and establish an instant, secure connection. The wireless protocol also allows for precise location tracking using a combination of radar and ranging to know when you are approaching a door from the correct angle (i.e. from the outside rather than from the inside).
U-tec says the Ultraloq Bolt Mission uses UWB and NFC technology “to determine their exact position relative to the lock, ensuring that only authorized users within close range can unlock it.” This feature can be accessed through the U-tec app.
While the lock won’t work with Apple Home’s hands-free unlocking feature, it will support Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings for remote access and smart home control of the lock through Matter.
The company said that the next version of Bolt Mission is expected to be released in early 2025 and will support UWB unlocking of Aliro and Apple Home.
