The Consumer Electronics Show, held Jan 9-12 in Las Vegas, provides a first look at some of the newest electronic trends and gadgets on the market – and some on the horizon. For the security industry, these gadgets include the latest in surveillance cameras and biometric locks. While locksmiths might not be quite ready for Artificial Intelligence, these products do support the trend towards smart locks, home automation and connected devices. Here are a few of the products that caught our eye.
Philips Home Access palm recognition smart deadbolt
This smart deadbolt is designed to seamlessly integrate with modern smart home ecosystems, offering compatibility with voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
The palm vein reader automatically detects and recognizes an individual's unique palm vein pattern. This innovative feature allows for swift and effortless unlocking of doors, ensuring that family members of all ages can access their homes effortlessly.
The Philips Wi-Fi Palm Recognition Smart Deadbolt incorporates grab-and-go technology with built-in proximity sensors. As individuals reach towards the indoor knob or lever, the deadbolt's sensors detect their presence and send unlock signals to the deadbolt. This eliminates the need to physically manipulate the deadbolt, providing a swift and hassle-free exit from the property.
Unlike conventional smart locks, the Philips Wi-Fi Palm Recognition Smart Deadbolt has built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. This eliminates the need for additional Wi-Fi bridges, and streamlines the pairing and setting up of the smart lock with the Philips Home Access app.
Philips Wi-Fi Palm Recognition Smart Deadbolt will be available in the first half of 2024. For more information, visit www.usa.philips.com/homeaccess.
Lockly Matter Link Hub
The Matter Link marks Lockly’s first step into the new Matter smart home ecosystem. As a hub compatible with most existing Lockly products such as the company’s Flex Touch, Access Touch, and Secure Plus locks, it enables these locks to seamlessly integrate with popular Matter-supported platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings.
Lockly Matter Link will be available in 2024 and will be compatible with select models including Lockly Plus, Flex Touch, and Access Touch.
Check out a quick demo of the Lockly Visage facial recognition smart lock from the Pepcom event at CES 2024.
Lockly Visage
Lockly is also showcasing its new Visage smart lock, featuring advanced facial recognition technology for keyless entry. With pending certifications coming in 2024 for Matter, Visage will also be Apple HomeKey and Apple Home compatible and allow users to unlock by simply tapping the lock with an iPhone or Apple Watch, or by using Siri voice commands.
The lock provides fast, secure access with additional capabilities like remote management, activity tracking, and user profiles managed through the Lockly Mobile App, so property owners will be able to oversee permissions no matter where they are located.
Additional Lockly Visage Features and Benefits:
- Built-in Wi-Fi – Get status, alerts, and control from anywhere.
- Facial Recognition – Approach and unlock, effortless entry, every time.
- Your Finger Is Your Key – Advanced fingerprint sensor stores up to 99 fingerprints.
- HackProof Digital Keypad – Patented PIN Genie shuffling up to 52 access codes.
- RFID cards - Quick access of up to 999 RFID cards.
- AI Motion Sensor – Send real-time alerts when motion is sensed.
- Programmable Auto-Locking – Never worry about forgetting to lock your door.
- Lockly Air Transfer Programming – Transfer user profiles (fingerprint, access codes, RFIDs) from an existing Lockly smart lock to another lock in just a few clicks.
- eKeys & eBadges – Grant one-time use or specific time duration access by issuing codes, digital eKeys or eBadges remotely via a mobile device.
Lockly Visage will be available in a variety of finishes including Satin Nickel and Matte Black in Summer 2024
More info: www.lockly.com
TP-Link Integrated Smart Home Ecosystem
Consumer electronics brand Tapo unveiled its top-of-the-line smart home ecosystem, including groundbreaking smart home security cameras, video doorbells, smart door locks, smart light bulbs and smart plugs.
At the core of the Tapo ecosystem lies the Smart HomeBase Tapo H500, a centralized control device compatible with Matter and ONVIF protocols. It comes with 16GB eMMC, expandable up to 16 TB via an extra HDD/SDD drive, delivering massive, secure local storage. Its AI technology recognizes human faces, people, pets and vehicles, effectively filtering invalid alerts. With its capability to connect up to 16 cameras and 64 sensors, the Tapo H500 helps users save power.
Additionally, the Tapo for Pad App enables visualizing, controlling, and managing smart home devices from a tablet. With its revolutionary 3D control panel, the app offers an immersive experience that mirrors any layout and device placement of the home. With advanced home automation features, such as scheduling tasks and setting location-based triggers, users can easily synchronize multiple devices with just one tap.
With the Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera, users can experience crystal-clear 2K 5MP resolution, 180° head-to-toe diagonal FOV and advanced Color Night Vision technology. It comes with a very durable 10,000 mAh long-lasting battery and power supply via hardwire is also supported. . The line also includes indoor and outdoor cameras using AI and infrared technology.
The Smart Video Door Lock effortlessly unlocks any door using seven methods: fingerprint, keypad, the Tapo App, RFID, physical key, temporary passcodes, or voice assistants. Equipped with a robust 10000mAh rechargeable battery for extended usage, this innovative door lock seamlessly integrates door lock and doorbell functionalities.
More information: e-mail [email protected]
U-tec ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint Matter
U-tec’s Bolt Fingerprint Matter is an advanced smart lock offering a six-in-one unlocking experience and multi-layered security. This device seamlessly integrates with Matter connectivity, creating a unified smart home ecosystem. Because ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint Matter uniquely supports Matter over Thread technology, it is compatible with Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Apple Home, or Amazon Alexa.
With advanced fingerprint recognition and mobile control, it allows effortless and secure access management, all in a stylish and durable design. It offers multiple unlocking methods such as fingerprint recognition, passcodes, mobile app access, and backup keys, providing keyless convenience. Designed to support eight alkaline cells, the smart lock provides extended battery life and minimizes battery replacements.
More info: www.u-tec.com
remo+ Over-the-Door Cam
Ideal applications for the new remo+ DoorCam 3+ LTE over-the-door connected smart security camera are apartment complexes, because no drilling is required for the installation. It is battery powered and easy to move or transport. It comes with both built-in Wi0Fi and built-in AT&T cellular connectivity. When the Wi-Fi goes down, it switches over to LTE.
More info: remoplus.co
Industry-Relevant Smart Home Trends from CES
Parks Associates hosted the 18th annual CONNECTIONS Summit at CES, bringing industry leaders from the connected home together to share insights and updates on the state of the smart home and security market.
Parks Associates highlighted several key insights into consumer technology – including that for the first time, smartphone ownership (90%) has surpassed TV ownership (88%) in households. Parks Associates research shows that 92% of U.S. households now have internet service and that connectivity is a critical part of consumers’ lives. Among all internet households, 66% own a smart TV, 42% have at least one smart home device, 31% have a security system, and 89% watch streaming video services.
According to Parks Associates data, more smart home buyers now self-identify as mainstream technology users. In addition, nearly 30% of U.S. internet households now have three or more smart home devices. This shift necessitates changes in product development, marketing, and sales strategies, as companies aim to appeal to a broader audience beyond tech-savvy individuals.
Throughout the lively panel discussions at CONNECTIONS, we were able to identify seven key smart home trends with relevance to the security and home integration space:
The ubiquity of smart cameras and security systems. These products are becoming more sophisticated, with enhanced features such as facial recognition and advanced motion detection. The presence of numerous Chinese brands in this space was noteworthy, reflecting the global nature of the smart home market.
While the expansion of the security device market offers consumers more choices and drives market growth, the industry faces challenges due to ongoing supply chain issues and higher interest rates, which hinder innovation by escalating costs and impacting companies’ abilities to make ends meet.
Traditional security providers will continue to look to reduce costs, expand revenues through new opportunities, and focus on partnerships.
The advancement of smart lighting controls. These systems are becoming more intuitive and user-friendly, enabling homeowners to easily adjust their home’s ambiance while also enhancing security through automated lighting schedules. Currently, 13% of U.S. internet households own a smart light bulb and 6% own a smart lighting system. In 2024, there will be a significant shift with lighting emerging as a pivotal component, especially in the context of home security and energy efficiency.
This trend is underscored by notable industry movements, such as NRG’s $5.6 billion acquisition of Vivint and its introduction of a lighting division.
Beyond basic lighting, these advanced systems are being designed for diverse purposes – enhancing home aesthetics, providing fun and customizable experiences, and importantly, creating safer environments for aging in place. As this trend continues, we can expect lighting to not only contribute to a home’s security and energy management, but also to play a vital role in shaping the living experience, merging functionality with personalization.
Energy management and energy efficiency continue to drive the adoption of smart home solutions. Shelly Group, a leader in Europe, introduced more than 10 switch and sensor products that enable advanced control, integration, and metrics. In addition, the Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA) announced a new standard to enable appliance OEMs to share energy consumption data, which can boost the use case for energy monitoring in smart homes. This could lead to more sustainable and efficient home management systems.
Energy management systems offer dual benefits to consumers by providing real-time insights, enabling cost savings, and facilitating integration with utility providers to participate in demand-response programs that contribute to overall energy reduction.
In addition, the ability to monitor and manage energy consumption through smart home systems caters to the growing environmental consciousness of consumers and offers potential cost savings.
Health and wellness for older demographics, but with a focus on safety and security. The Samsung Digital Health House, in collaboration with AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative, showcased a range of innovative solutions designed to support aging at home. The exhibit featured products from 10 startup companies, each offering unique technologies aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of older adults – showcasing products in the living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom areas, and featuring applications in interactive gaming, health monitoring, AI-assisted wellness coaching, ambient vital sign sensing, and smart home healthcare technologies.
The importance of professional support in the smart home sector. The involvement of tradespeople and professional services through companies like OliverIQ , Daisy, and Nice could be crucial in installing and maintaining more complex smart home systems. Parks Associates research shows that the average household now has 17 connected devices. Device setup and integration with other products, in addition to device management, continue to be challenges to solve.
Smart TVs as the smart home hub. Beyond support and professional services, interoperability remains a key focus. More Smart TVs are becoming home hubs, and more industry players are bringing Matter-embedded products to market. Smart TVs play a central role in the home ecosystem and have the potential to become key interfaces for various systems like security and energy management.
Companies like Samsung, LG, and Hisense are integrating connected home platforms into their TVs, potentially changing the landscape of smart home integration and control. This puts the TV operating system and the largest screen in the house at the heart of the home.
Looking Ahead: The Matter Protocol and Data Sharing
Matter protocol’s role in 2024 will be pivotal for smart home integration. The Connectivity Standards Alliance is working to temper expectations for what is accomplished next and how quickly the standard is created and adopted across different product categories.
While Matter promises greater interoperability, the reluctance of some companies to fully embrace open data sharing continues to pose a significant hurdle. The success of Matter largely depends on finding a balance that benefits both companies and consumers, and this tension could shape the evolution of interoperable smart home ecosystems in 2024.
Smart home players are tackling various challenges, from ensuring data privacy and security to managing the complexities of integrating different technologies. Innovations in 2024 will focus on creating more robust, user-friendly, and secure systems that can seamlessly integrate into the daily lives of a broad range of consumers. As companies navigate these trends and challenges, innovation remains key. The focus in 2024 will be on enhancing user experience, ensuring data privacy and security, and integrating AI and machine learning to provide smarter, more responsive home security solutions.
Elizabeth Parks is President and CMO of market research and consulting firm Parks Associates. www.parksassociates.com
