Amazon's video doorbell manufacturer, Ring, is entering a new market: smart door locks.
However, Ring's new device is not a simple copy of existing door locks on the market, as it attempts to solve a major issue that often discourages people from adopting such smart home devices: the fear of being locked out after the battery runs out.
To solve this issue, the smart door lock of Ring has been equipped with an electric power knob. If the device's battery runs out, the homeowner simply needs to turn this knob a few times to re-power the door lock and enter their home.
Ring The founder, Jamie Siminoff, said that he came up with the idea to redesign smart door locks because he encountered this problem while selecting a door lock for a vacation home.
“I’m very conflicted because this house will not be used very often, and I know its battery is definitely going to run out of power,” he said.
He is also worried that family members or friends who come to visit may be kept out of the door, as this door is not connected to an electrical source, and any smart door lock relies on batteries.
“I just thought to myself, why don’t we solve this problem?” he said. With the help of AI, he began to work on creating a lock that could be powered by hand-cranking, with enough energy just to open the door lock. Once inside, users could remove the rechargeable battery pack and charge it as usual.
Siminoff indicates that the battery life of this new door lock, Ring, is approximately one year, and it will remind users when charging is needed through the Ring app. The app also allows users to set permissions for individuals who may need regular access, such as dog walkers or cleaning staff. In the future, the company hopes to enable third-party app developers to create specialized software for this door lock, allowing it to be used in other scenarios—for example, for Airbnb landlords who need to change passwords frequently.
This Ring door lock also offers four ways to enter, so users don't have to worry about forgetting their passwords. You can use the fingerprint reader on the device, the backlit touch keypad, the Ring app, or Alexa.
Siminoff acknowledges that this type of door lock may be similar to other products on the market, but he believes that addressing the anxiety of being "locked out" will be its biggest selling point.
"I truly believe that the issue of electricity is a major deterrent for people from purchasing, installing, and being concerned about it," he said.
In fact, even if smart door locks offer some form of backup method, it usually involves more troublesome and less secure practices—such as hiding a physical key somewhere in the house.
The smart door lock of Ring can be adapted to standard single-cylinder deadlocks. After obtaining the approval of FCC, it will be available for sale in the United States in the first quarter of 2027. It will be available in three color options: black, silver, or brass.
In addition to this type of door lock, Ring has also released four new 4K cameras: Outdoor Cam 4K, Plus 4K, Spotlight Cam 4K, Plus 4K, Floodlight Cam 4K, Plus, as well as a Indoor Cam 4K camera with pan-tilt functionality.
