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Lockitron exceeds $2,000,000 in reservations

lockitron.com

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Re: Lockitron exceeds $2,000,000 in reservations

#61

Post by theatraine »

How the device fits over the lock handle reminds me of another device I made to unlock a door. I had to get into a room to reset a router, however the lock was a deadbolt, and I didn't know how to pick it. Using a (heavily bent) coat hanger, I squeezed it through a crack in the top of the door, lowered it with twine until it grasped the lock handle, and then turned the device with some more twine (from under the door) and I was in.

Locks that open when the door handle (not a knob) is turned can also be opened relatively easily with coathangers from under the door. Make sure to consider all aspects when making secure systems!

Re: Lockitron exceeds $2,000,000 in reservations

#62

Post by jontas »

lessnonymous wrote: post #29

This is bananas! Please, someone who has reserved one .. WHY do you need to open your deadbolt from anywhere other than your front door? Do you often find yourself down the street / at work / in an overseas hotel with the need to open the deadbolt? Don't you want to see who's there? Don't you have a second lock built into the knob? It's an interesting idea to control a mechanical object (lock) with an internet connec…

I have not ordered one, but here is how I see it:

It is a step towards what the world will be like at some future point, when everything about your home (and life) is managed from your phone (or some kind of device).

I'm not trying to sound futuristic and sci-fi, but I'm sure we will reach a point where there are no keys, just doors that unlock automatically and open for you based on proximity and identity verification.

Does a Lockitron make total sense for everyone to buy today? Probably not. There are obviously some use cases that do justify the expense, however, I see it as an intermediary step on the path to totally rethinking doors and physical access in general. And if you can afford it, and think it is neat and at least somewhat useful, then why not?

Re: Lockitron exceeds $2,000,000 in reservations

#63

Post by gigantor »

prunebeads wrote: post #47
gigantor wrote: post #28

Playing devil's advocate here, but what is the hype surrounding this lock? I bought two 'aesthetic enough' keypad code locks from Home Depot and it' been serving me well since. It doesn't require my phone or launching an app from my phone (think bags of groceries in both hands and you forgot to preunlock), doesn't require Wi-Fi, and I can program temporary codes for Airbnb, etc. within seconds. The only draw back is…

>think bags of groceries in both hands and you forgot to preunlock If you've got both your hands busy, whichever keylock system is on your door is irrelevant. Only a voice activation system would be Ok.

I practice (though uncomfortably) I am able to extend at least two fingers, enough to enter a 4 digit code and turn the knob. Unlocking vie the phone with two grocery bags is not so easy.

Re: Lockitron exceeds $2,000,000 in reservations

#64

Post by tedunangst »

mikeash wrote: post #56
tedunangst wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Changing the lock probably violates your lease. And if you wanted to catch them entering your apartment without notice, something like a camera that creates readily identified evidence would be a better idea.

Isn't the whole point of this device that it works with your existing lock?

I wasn't sure if it can be configured to prohibit key access. How strong is it? If it can, it's unauthorized. If it can't, it's not keeping your landlord out.

Re: Lockitron exceeds $2,000,000 in reservations

#65

Post by mikeash »

tedunangst wrote: post #64
mikeash wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't the whole point of this device that it works with your existing lock?

I wasn't sure if it can be configured to prohibit key access. How strong is it? If it can, it's unauthorized. If it can't, it's not keeping your landlord out.

He said he wanted to know when the landlord came, not keep him out. As far as I know, it won't even attempt to stop the key from opening the lock, but it will detect it.

Re: Lockitron exceeds $2,000,000 in reservations

#66

Post by stcredzero »

tedunangst wrote: post #51
paulgerhardt wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Founder bias here, but... As someone who lives with three adult roommates who all have S.O.'s we have people in and out all the time. As someone who lived by himself in college it was nice to know when the landlord came by. As someone who runs a startup, it provides more benefit than a typical modern access control system without the $3000 price tag. For American locks, the deadbolt provides most of the security. The…

Changing the lock probably violates your lease. And if you wanted to catch them entering your apartment without notice, something like a camera that creates readily identified evidence would be a better idea.

A little tiny camera on the inside that can take still pictures would be a dandy v2 feature.

Re: Lockitron exceeds $2,000,000 in reservations

#67

Post by stcredzero »

gigantor wrote: post #28

Playing devil's advocate here, but what is the hype surrounding this lock? I bought two 'aesthetic enough' keypad code locks from Home Depot and it' been serving me well since. It doesn't require my phone or launching an app from my phone (think bags of groceries in both hands and you forgot to preunlock), doesn't require Wi-Fi, and I can program temporary codes for Airbnb, etc. within seconds. The only draw back is…

> (think bags of groceries in both hands and you forgot to preunlock)

I can imagine someone implementing an app that unlocks the door for you automatically when your phone gets back on the home WiFi network.

Re: Lockitron exceeds $2,000,000 in reservations

#69

Post by schiffern »

mikeash wrote: post #57
RickHull wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm curious how it works. There must be some servo activating the physical lock, right? How can it operate if the power goes out?

A backup battery would seem to be an obvious solution there. Every lock like this that I've seen also has a standard physical keyed lock as a backup.

Lockitron is entirely battery powered and has no external components. It looks like they can send you an alert when the battery runs low.

Re: Lockitron exceeds $2,000,000 in reservations

#70

Post by refurb »

I wonder how strong the actuator is on the device. I know that most deadbolts don't line up all that great with the hole in the frame and require a lot of force to actually open and close. I'm sure the actuator is limited in how much force it can generate.
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