Unlock Your Door with Your Face and Palm: Ultraloq’s New Smart Lock
▼ Summary
– Xthings is introducing new smart security products at CES, with the most notable being the Ultraloq Bolt Sense smart deadbolt.
– The Bolt Sense uses facial recognition and palm vein authentication for touch-free access, with palm scanning touted as more reliable than fingerprint scanning.
– The company is also announcing the Latch 7 Pro smart lock, which will support Matter-over-Thread and Aliro, and is expected to ship in Q1.
– Xthings is showcasing the Ulticam HaLow, a security camera using Wi-Fi HaLow technology for extended range and wall penetration, ideal for large properties.
– Another new product is the Ulticam IQ Floodlight, which combines an AI camera with bright floodlights for clear nighttime video, though it uses standard Wi-Fi.
A new era of smart home security is arriving with the introduction of advanced biometric locks and long-range cameras. Xthings is unveiling several innovative products at CES, with the standout being the Ultraloq Bolt Sense smart deadbolt. This lock moves beyond traditional keypads and fingerprint scanners by offering a unique combination of facial recognition and palm vein authentication. This dual-method approach allows for completely touch-free entry, eliminating the need to pull out a smartphone app just to get through your front door.
The palm scanning technology represents a significant step forward in reliability. Unlike fingerprint sensors that can struggle with moisture or grime, this system reads the unique vein patterns beneath the skin’s surface. Because it relies on near-infrared light to map these internal patterns, the Bolt Sense promises to work flawlessly even with wet or dirty hands and in total darkness. The compact deadbolt includes built-in Wi-Fi, and the company has indicated that Matter support is on the development roadmap. Since the product is not scheduled to ship until the second quarter of this year, there is still time to finalize those smart home integrations.
Alongside the flagship lock, Xthings is also announcing the Latch 7 Pro, which is expected to launch in the first quarter. While it does not feature the advanced palm-vein reader, it will support the Matter-over-Thread protocol and Aliro, enhancing its compatibility within modern smart home ecosystems.
The company’s security camera lineup is also receiving substantial upgrades. The Ulticam IQ V2 will debut as their first camera with native Matter support. However, the more intriguing development is the Ulticam HaLow. This device is poised to be among the first consumer security cameras to utilize Wi-Fi HaLow technology. This standard operates on sub-GHz radio signals, which provides dramatically extended range and superior wall penetration compared to conventional Wi-Fi, though at the cost of lower data bandwidth. While Xthings has not specified exact limits, Wi-Fi HaLow is generally rated for distances up to half a mile under ideal conditions, making it a compelling solution for monitoring large estates, farms, or commercial properties.
To simplify adoption, Xthings will include a dedicated hub with the Ulticam HaLow, so users won’t need to source a specialized router. For those prioritizing video quality in low-light conditions, the company is also launching the Ulticam IQ Floodlight. This model pairs an AI-powered camera with powerful 2,000-lumen lights to illuminate and capture clear footage during the night, though it will not offer the extensive wireless range of the HaLow model.
(Source: The Verge)
