Aqara’s U400 good lock boasts hands-free unlocking

Sensible residence system producer Aqara is displaying its new Sensible Lock U400 at CES. It’s among the many first gadgets of its type to mix Apple Residence Key expertise with an Extremely-wideband (UWB) radio to ship hands-free unlocking when a certified person approaches the door.

Offered you’re sporting your Apple Watch or your iPhone is in your pocket, purse, or backpack, you gained’t want to the touch the deadbolt to unlock it (compatibility with different good gadgets is promised down the street). The trick is made attainable by an UWB radio contained in the lock, together with assist for Matter-over-Thread, though it’ll additionally require you to have a Thread-enabled Matter controller inside your house. For Apple Residence Key customers, meaning an Apple TV or HomePod.

Utilizing its UWB radio, the Aqara U400 measures time-of-flight (the exact time it takes for a radio sign to journey between the lock and your good system) and angle-of-arrival (the course of that radio sign) to find out your location with accuracy right down to the centimeter. This ensures that the lock will solely open when a certified person is exterior the house approaching the door and never merely strolling previous it or whereas they’re inside the home.

Aqara says this method gives higher safety since UWB expertise is extra immune to relay assaults than Bluetooth-only proximity techniques. A built-in gyroscope permits automated locking as soon as the door is closed, serving to stop householders from unintentionally leaving their door unlocked. Energy comes from a 7.3V rechargeable lithium-ion battery rated for as much as six months of use per cost underneath typical situations. If the battery runs out, the lock might be quickly powered by way of USB-C from a telephone or energy financial institution for emergency unlocking.

If you happen to’re not an Apple person, Aqara says it’ll add assist for gadgets that use Samsung Pockets later within the first quarter of 2026. The Aqara Sensible Lock U400 additionally helps tap-to-unlock by way of Close to-field Communication (NFC, by way of a smartphone or an Aqara key card), in addition to with the lock’s fingerprint scanner; private codes entered on its PIN pad (together with one-time and scheduled entry); cell apps; voice management by means of Alexa, Google Residence, Samsung SmartThings, Siri; or a standard mechanical key.

The Aqara Sensible Lock U400 It makes use of a regular 60/70mm deadbolt and helps door thicknesses from 35mm to 55mm, making it suitable with most U.S. residential doorways. The outside keypad panel carries an IP65 score for mud and water resistance, that means that the lock is dustproof and might stand up to being sprayed with water jets (wanting a stress washer).

The Aqara Sensible Lock U400 is on the market now for $269.99 at Amazon or Aqara’s e-commerce web site in silver or black (satin nickel and “shadow” black finishes are additionally promised).

This information story is a part of TechHive’s in-depth protection of the most effective good locks.