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The garage door was one of the first systems to move from manual access control to becoming a network point of entry for the smart home. In today's 'smart home' setup, the key and latch simply aren't enough for homeowners, who are demanding real-time notifications, remote access through their smartphones, integration with voice assistants and security systems. To meet these needs, garage door lock kits are being re-imagined to provide the expected modern features, without compromising physical robustness.
Retrofit Smart Cylinders for Existing Lock Hardware
Perhaps one of the largest breakthroughs becoming truly commonplace is retrofit smart cylinders that upgrade traditional mechanical locks without needing to change the entire lockset. Traditional garage door locking hardware such as the zinc/aluminum die-cast housings, or the hardened stainless steel cam locks that give a homeowner a strong mechanism are very desirable for home security, but these users want control over the lock in a remote manner, through Bluetooth, Zigbee, or WiFi.
Today manufacturers are selling smart lock cylinders that attach to the body of existing mechanical locks, essentially allowing a traditional mechanical lock with a cylinder rating IP65 from WenZhou MeiGu Lock Industry Co., Ltd. To be paired with a special security smart cylinder that knows who and what time the door is being unlocked. In this way, the traditional mechanical lock continues to protect from picking and drilling but simultaneously is updated with the abilities of geofencing, time-limited digital keys for service personnel, and automatic relocking based on a schedule. For those homeowners that successfully install a swinghandle and rod type lock, these retrofit smarts will offer the benefits of a strong mechanical lock and modern conveniences all in one.
Biometric Integration Directly into Handle and Swinghandle Designs
Passwords can be forgotten and copied, and keys can easily be misplaced and duplicated. Facial recognition and fingerprint capabilities are leading the charge from the front door of homes all the way to the garage. Some latest developments include incorporating fingerprint readers into handles and swinghandles, providing an integrated smart access solution for garages.
These smart handles include traditional mechanical fail-safe systems as well as capacitive sensors, which recognize the touch of a finger for instant access to the lock. These advanced locks originated from the cabinets of industrial machinery and have been adapted by MeiGu to offer robust, high-end quality for garages at home, with biometric control of their swinghandle and rod series of locks. This includes a rechargeable battery integrated into the handle that powers the fingerprint sensor to scan a fingerprint in under a half second, disengaging the cam lock electrically. These locks eliminate the need for managing physical keys and can also be configured to create a log of every garage user in a household with multiple cars, with voice commands possible through integration with HomeKit or the Alexa app; just say 'open the garage side door' to unlock it.
Cloud-Connected Monitoring with Geofencing Automation
Passive security solutions are slowly being replaced with more active systems. Sydney locksmiths are well-versed in a variety of home security needs but finding the right security lock for your smart garage door may involve looking into the latest smart lock innovations. Many smart garage door lock kits include sensors to check if the lock itself is locked or unlocked rather than simply if the door is open or closed. These are normally micro-switch or magnetic reed sensors integrated inside the lock housing itself to update status to a cloud system.
When coupled with geofencing technology in the smartphone application, the system can automatically re-lock the garage door when the last user is out of a predetermined range of the home, or send out a notification and even unlock the door after a certain amount of time has passed in the evening if no one has entered for example 10 pm. MeiGu's cylindrical and cam lock series include a cavity within their manufacturing where a sensor can be fitted while maintaining the size and footprint of a mechanical lock. This allows them to be easily added to smart home systems such as SmartThings or IFTTT. For example, if the garage lock has been tampered with, the system could turn on outdoor lights, play a pre-recorded audio alarm and record a clip from a connected security camera to replay later for you. An ordinary passive lock has been transformed into an active security measure with these updates.
Keyless Keypad and Mobile Credential Integration for Multi-User Access
Managing physical keys for family, housekeepers or pet-sitters can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare. The newer keyless solutions, such as keypads and mobile credentials, are becoming more prevalent on garage door lock kits. It's now possible for a single lock kit to accommodate different modes of access such as a PIN number or textable one-time passcode, or to even include digital keys in a smartphone's digital wallet.
Premium locks are even including detachable escutcheon plates that can contain a keypad along with a key override. The MeiGu accessory kit allows for a keypad and a traditional cylinder to be inserted into the same swinghandle on the garage door. This technology can create one-time, expiring access codes, perfect for hosts in Airbnb's or building managers for multi-tenant homes that share a garage entrance. Also, mobile credentials that use BLE technology allow a homeowner to grant entry to people even if the owner is not standing at the front door of the home and does not need to open it with the key in person. This transforms your garage door lock kit into something much more like a complete user administration platform.
Conclusion
The garage door lock kit is not simply a secondary problem-solver for the modern home, it is quickly becoming an integral component of home security. With features such as retrofit Smart cylinders, biometric enabled handles and swinghandles, and cloud-connected sensors and keyless keypads among other innovations to secure your home on a more personal level than in the past, garage door security continues to evolve. We at WenZhou MeiGu Lock Industry Co., Ltd. have over 15 years of expertise and know-how with CNC Machining, Die Casting, and 304/316 Stainless Steel Forgings. We have all it takes to manufacture whatever lock kit combinations you can imagine that blend security and convenience. Learn more about smart lock kits at www.meiguLock.com.