U-tec has announced a new smart lock that will allow your door to automatically unlock as you approach using ultra wideband (UWB) technology. While U-tec and other lock makers currently have auto-unlock methods that use a combination of BLE, Wi-Fi, and GPS, they can be unreliable and slow. The Ultraloq Bolt Mission UWB Plus NFC is the first smart lock to use UWB, promising a simpler, faster, and more reliable experience.
In addition to UWB, U-tec says the new lock will work with Wi-Fi and Matter and can be unlocked using NFC. At launch, it will be compatible with Android NFC-enabled phones, and U-tec says support for Apple’s Home Key tap-to-open feature is coming once it’s available through Matter.
If you don’t want to use any of these new entry methods, the full deadbolt replacement smart lock also has a keypad for PIN access and uses a traditional key. It is powered by eight AA batteries, which the company claims will get a year of battery life. U-tec says the Bolt Mission will arrive later this year, but no price has been announced.
The same technology used in digital car keys, UWB allows your compatible phone or watch to communicate directly with the lock over long distances and establish an instant secure connection. The wireless protocol also allows for accurate location tracking using a combination of radar and from knowing when you are approaching the door from the right angle (ie from outside the house and not inside ).
U-tec says the Ultraloq Bolt Mission uses both UWB and NFC technology “to determine their exact position relative to the lock, ensuring that only authorized users within close range can unlock this.” The feature is accessible through the U-tec app.
While the lock won’t work with Apple Home’s hands-free unlocking feature, U-tec says 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 also said that the next version of the Bolt Mission, due in early 2025, will support Aliro and Apple Home’s UWB unlocking.
