Locks always struck me as the perfect application for Bluetooth LE: walk up to the lock, it detects the phone in your pocket or bag, checks the code and unlocks. If you need to let someone else in, you authorize their app on a one-off or permanent basis. Simple, secure, convenient.
There are a bunch of Bluetooth door locks on the way, and you can even lock and unlock your Mac via Bluetooth, so why not a Bluetooth padlock too? Noke is a Kickstarter campaign for a $59 lock where you simply click the hasp to unlock. Provided your phone is with you, and the app code matches the lock, it opens without key or combination.
Cleverly, you can also program the padlock with a Morse code-style pattern that you can click to open the lock if your phone battery is dead.
The campaign has an ambitious $100,000 target, so it’s by no means certain it’ll get funded, but as with all Kickstarter campaigns you lose nothing if it doesn’t make it. $59 is the Kickstarter price, with a planned retail price of $99.
The campaign doesn’t say anything about the security credentials of the lock, so it’s probably best considered something for relatively low-security applications like gym lockers and ‘cafe locks’ for bikes (ones you use just to stop someone hopping on and riding off while your bike is within sight).
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
i am curious about battery solution.
Should last around a year, and is replaceable while locked
I really don’t like the idea of it being replaceable while locked. I can just imagine delinquents mucking around with the battery. Which creates nothing but a hassle, even if the lock manages to stay secure. Then again, what sort of security vulnerability does the lock open itself up to when the back panel is removed, can it be hotwired or forcibly opened at this point? The battery needs to last much longer – and they should have a battery saving feature, when below a certain point – 5% or something – only allowing tap based unlocking and completely power down the bluetooth and other unnecessary components.
Dylan, good suggestions. The one year estimate is fairly conservative. When it isn’t being used, it draws virtually no power so in a case like you describe, it should last a very long time. In fact, it essentially draws no power unless you click on it. That’s when it starts searching for the phone. Good observation.
OK the immediate risk is what happens when the battery fails (padlocks are often used outside, and we all know the effect of sub-zero temperatures on batteries)… A battery failure will either result in the device bricking or unlocking – both which are highly undesirable. So padlock shouldn’t be used outside, – in other words its only useful inside (behind a normal locked door?)
Simon, David from FUZ Designs here. If the battery ever loses power for any reason, we’ve designed a way for the user to get inside the battery compartment and replace it without gaining access to the locking mechanism. The lock remains locked. We have spent quite a bit of time working through most of these issues. If you have a minute, check out our Kickstarter page and see what you think. Thanks so much for the observation.
Hi! Quick question(s) here:
Is it possible to setup a pin code? So if my phone is stolen for example, they still need to figure out my pin code to unlock Noke.
Also how does the share feature works? I can kinda see on the app mockups that i need to enter an email address, so it will generate a key on the device for the selected time time and this key is sent to the user by email, or it will simply share the global key with everyone?
Thanks
Viszt, Yes, we will allow users to create a pin code on the app. I’d prefer to do it on the phone itself, but yes, doing it in the app is in the plans for those who want it.
You can share the key permanently or for a set time or for certain times of day, etc. The email allows us to send a notification to the person with whom your sharing. Then they download the app. Create an account with that email, verify the email, and then they have access for whatever time you specify.
Was about to pledge. But the gun in the ad put me off.
Carlos, This is David from FUZ Designs. Don’t let that put you off. I don’t have a gun either. But, I do think people who do have guns could use Noke to protect children and others by using our lock. I hope this makes sense. Safety is so important with things like this.
Hi David, I think this lock is going to be terrific. I will be funding you and I will purchase an extra one to make up for Carlos’ non-purchase just for my gun box. Thanks! looks like a great product.
Really Carlos? I don’t mean to be judgmental (actually yes I do), but that’s one of the dumbest things that I’ve ever heard. You expect anyone to believe that you will avoid purchasing a product because they advertise that one of its many applications is that it can be used to lock a gun case? When you see a car commercial that involves performing ridiculous feats of speed, handling, and torque, do you boycott the purchase of that car because you, personally, would not drive that way? Of course not! Because that would be as dumb as what you commented above! You were never going to pledge in the first place! What a troll!
One of my padlocks was broken into at a gym once. They hit it with a hammer until the lock broke and opened up. I’ve since switched to a key lock.
How does this product hold up again brute force? Comparable to a regular pad lock? Better/worse?
Eric, I destroyed several locks while doing research for Noke. With a hammer and a screwdriver, I was able to open them all up, including the keyed ones. Frankly, a Dremel was the fastest way to get inside a lock. Not that I’m encouraging it. Anyway, it is safer than most combination locks I trashed and about on par with the key locks. Thanks
I’m a mechanical engineer and I had a look at the disassembled parts of lock photo:
– it seems that the secure side of the lock is screwed with 2 long screws from the battery side -> only need to unscrew them from the battery side to access the secure side / all lock?
– you speak about an anti-shim technology, but above mentioned screws are very small in diameter and a simple flat tip screwdriver inserted between the middle side and the secure side plate will open the lock?
– about the bike chain: its diameter seems to be around the same as the U metal part of the chains: 7mm; according to French bike lock specialist that tests 100s of bike locks, chains more generally this lock seems weak. I am interested but what are your proposal to these simple conception problems?
Thanks
(In the previous post the end was partly missing)
I’m a mechanical engineer and I had a look at the disassembled parts of lock photo:
– it seems that the secure side of the lock is screwed with 2 to 4 long screws from the battery side -> only need to unscrew them from the battery side to access the secure side / all lock?
– you speak about an anti-shim technology, but above mentioned screws are very small in diameter and a simple flat tip screwdriver inserted between the middle side and the secure side plate will open the lock?
– about the bike chain: its diameter seems to be around the same as the U metal part of the chains: 7mm; according to French bike lock specialist that tests 100s of bike locks, chains less than 10mm diameter only hold for 2 seconds from a thief with a basic small tool (http://www.fubicy.org/IMG/pdf/VC111_TESTS_ANTIVOLS_2011-2.pdf page 2 paragraph 6)
– … other things I didn’t look at with a 1 hour only analysis
=> more generally this lock seems weak. I am interested but what are your proposal to these simple conception problems?
Thanks