In the small world of connected locks, it’s a bit of a jungle. Each manufacturer has its own app and security protocols for its own products. Like Matter, Aliro intends to restore order and simplify users’ lives.
Connected locks are very practical devices. They allow you to open a door or lock it simply by holding a smartphone close to the lock. The system is popular in hotels – it is no longer necessary to provide a physical key to the customer – but also in many places open to the public or even in private homes, particularly for seasonal rentals such as AirBnB, since the system avoids waiting for guests on site or leaving the key in a secure box. Alas, the problem is that the manufacturers of these locks are each developing security protocols to operate their products. In fact, you generally have to download one app per brand and deal with the twists and turns linked to the different security settings. Not very practical.
It is therefore to restore order to this jungle that the Collective Standard Alliance (the alliance of connectivity standards), managed to bring together around the table nearly 200 companies directly or indirectly linked to the sector to set up Aliro, a new unified standard. Among these are major players directly concerned such as Apple, Google, Samsung, Qualcomm, STMicroelectronics but also Allegion and Assa Abloy, which are among the largest manufacturers of connected locks. The objective is nothing more and nothing less than achieving the same result obtained with Matter in home automation (read our article). “The Alliance and its members are now using this same model to unlock the potential of digital access, with the creation of a new standard and credential that makes it easier for businesses to adopt digital readers. “mobile and access control devices” says Tobin Richardson, president and CEO of Connectivity Standards Alliance. As with Matter therefore, Aliro should lead to standardization of standards for greater simplicity for both manufacturers and users.
Aliro will thus use several already existing and reliable standards such as NFC (which allows for example contactless payment on smartphones), Bluetooth LE and Ultra Wide Band which makes it possible to detect compatible devices within a radius of about ten meters and move towards them.
Like the development of Matter, that of Aliro will also require a little time to establish itself. According to the working group set up by the Collective Standard Alliance, work began in 2022. The first Aliro certified products should see the light of day from 2025. Until then, we will therefore still have to continue to juggle the multiple connected lock apps.