Lockin’s Vein-Scanning Smart Lock Adds Video Doorbell & Wireless Charging
▼ Summary
– The Lockin V7 Max is a smart lock that uses wireless optical charging from a separate AuraCharge transmitter to avoid battery failure issues.
– It features biometric unlocking via finger vein, palm vein, and 3D facial recognition, with a curved handle design by Apple’s former chief designer.
– The lock includes a built-in video doorbell, interior and exterior touchscreens, Matter protocol compatibility, and AI-powered cameras for monitoring and recognition.
– Lockin is also releasing an updated Veno Pro Wireless deadbolt with the same wireless charging technology as the V7 Max.
– This is the second wireless charging smart lock system announced, following the Alfred DB2S which uses an infrared laser, though the exact technology comparison is unclear.
Managing a smart home should simplify life, not add the chore of constantly checking battery levels. Lockin’s new V7 Max smart lock tackles this common frustration head-on with a novel solution: wireless optical charging. This system aims to eliminate the worry of a dead battery locking you out. A separate transmitter, called the AuraCharge, plugs into an outlet inside the home and delivers power to the lock’s lithium battery from up to four meters away. The company states this “eye-safe optical output” provides rapid charging without physical contact. Should the transmitter be unplugged, the lock reportedly retains several hours of backup power, though it’s worth noting most competing smart locks already offer battery life spanning many months.
The device’s design is a significant departure from the typical rectangular keypad style. Crafted by Hartmut Esslinger, the former chief designer for Apple, the V7 Max resembles an elegantly curved door handle. It offers three advanced biometric entry methods: finger vein scanning, palm vein recognition, and 3D facial recognition. This multi-faceted approach aims to provide both high security and convenient access.
Beyond locking, the V7 Max integrates several other smart home features. It includes a built-in video doorbell and boasts five-inch touchscreens on both the interior and exterior sides. Crucially, it supports the Matter protocol, ensuring compatibility with major ecosystems from Google, Apple, Amazon, and Samsung. The lock utilizes dual outer cameras paired with an AI system dubbed LockinAI. According to the manufacturer, this AI can perform tasks like logging package deliveries, monitoring children or elderly residents for safety, and even compiling automatic highlight reels from family gatherings at the door. Some of these described functions would typically require an inward-facing camera, which was not detailed in the initial product materials.
Lockin is also applying its wireless charging technology to an existing product. The company announced an updated version of its Veno Pro deadbolt, called the Veno Pro Wireless, which will incorporate the same AuraCharge capability. This marks the second instance of wireless charging in smart locks; the Alfred DB2S model uses an infrared laser system for a similar purpose. The technical similarities between Lockin’s AuraCharge and Alfred’s Wi-Charge system remain unclear.
The Lockin V7 Max is scheduled for pre-order soon, with shipments anticipated in the coming months. Pricing information was not available at the time of announcement.
(Source: The Verge)
