Smart padlocks unlock the future

What are the current and developing trends in padlocks?

Padlocks played a big role in the history of locks and are still very useful to date. They have adopted a number of mechanisms through the years and are becoming smarter.

As an importer, it’s worth knowing the current trends and upcoming innovations to unlock the door to and take a peek at the future of smart padlocks. Those are:

Fingerprint recognition - Padlocks became smart when they integrated biometrics, particularly fingerprint recognition. Fingerprint modules are fused into the lock body with the sensor pad usually found at the center. The user just needs to place his or her registered finger and then the lock will open in seconds.

App compatibility - Biometrics in padlocks is now combined with wireless connectivity. You’ll find the latest smart locks able to be managed via a mobile app on a smartphone. This is made possible by support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Users can also give temporary codes to visitors remotely besides unlocking the padlock for themselves thanks to the two technologies.

PIN codes - They say web-based unlocking still has its vulnerabilities to online breaches so some people prefer an alternative or secondary unlocking method. The solution some makers came up with is codes. Just like smartphones that require both biometrics and passcodes, smart padlocks are starting to adopt PIN codes instead of the abovementioned ways. One has been popular and crowdfunded fast.

Package delivery security - In some countries like the US, packages being delivered at the doorstep even while the owner isn’t at home is common and there is a need to secure them. Among the first solutions were doorbells that let only the Amazon delivery man in. That idea is now also starting to be implemented for smart padlocks such as this model that scans the barcode of the package so that the delivery person can enter the home.

Voice recognition - Popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa are everywhere as we always say. Alexa is already in deadbolts so why not in padlocks? Among the possible ways of how this will work is that the user has to speak the code. That is, until voice recognition technology is smart enough to distinguish real voices accurately from another and from voice recordings.

Start your sourcing journey with Global Sources. Here are smart locks you can buy now:

Code, app, fingerprint

Company: Guangdong Bakue Commerce Co. Ltd

Guangdong Bakue’s model DEBGZ3001-EL-AB smart padlock is Bluetooth-enabled. It can be unlocked by an app, fingerprint or a code entered via its keypad.

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Water-resistant

Company: BOL Industrial (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd

The model FL-S3-2fingerprint padlock from BOL is rated IP65. It remembers 10 fingerprints.

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Bluetooth U-lock

Company: Catchview Electronics Co. Ltd

Catchview Electronics Co. Ltd offers the CV-FPBL80 model that is shaped like the letter U. The padlock is Bluetooth and app-enabled.

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For bags, doors and more

Company: Guangzhou Lightsources Electronics Technology Ltd

This B11-02 model is from Guangzhou Lightsources. It can help secure bags, homes and more. The padlock connects to an app via Bluetooth.

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Compact travel padlock

Company: Shenzhen Walsun Digital Technology Co. Ltd

Shenzhen Walsun’s FL-S1-1036-2156 model is a compact rectangular shaped padlock. It opens via fingerprints and is IP65-rated for water resistance.

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Button, fingerprint, password

Company: Changsha AmyBoat Co. Ltd

The ABT-GS40F model from Changsha AmyBoat can be unlocked by pressing its button, using fingerprints or entering a password.

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