The Ultraloq Bolt Mission from U-tec is the first smart lock with UWB

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U-tec has announced a new smart lock that automatically opens your door as you approach it using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. While U-tec and other lock manufacturers currently offer automatic unlocking methods that use a combination of BLE, Wi-Fi and GPS, these can be unreliable and slow. The Ultraloq Bolt Mission UWB Plus NFC is the first smart lock to use UWB, promising an easier, faster and more reliable experience.

According to U-tec, the new lock will work not only over UWB, but also over Wi-Fi and Matter, and can be unlocked using NFC. At launch, it will be compatible with NFC-enabled Android phones. U-tec says support for Apple's home key tap-to-open feature will come once it's available through Matter.

If you don't want to use any of these newfangled access methods, the deadbolt-completely-replacement Smart Lock also has a keypad for PIN access and uses a traditional key. It runs on eight AA batteries, which the company says have a battery life of one year. U-tec says the Bolt Mission will be released later this year, but no pricing has been announced yet.

U-tec says the Ultraloq Bolt Mission will be released later this year and that a version that supports Apple Home hands-free unlocking will be released in 2025.
Image: U-tec

UWB is the same technology used in digital car keys, allowing your compatible phone or watch to communicate directly with the lock over short distances, instantly establishing a secure connection. The wireless protocol also enables precise location tracking using a combination of radar and ranging to know when you're approaching the door from the right angle (i.e. from outside the house rather than inside).

According to U-tec, the Ultraloq Bolt Mission uses both UWB and NFC technology “to determine its exact position relative to the lock and ensure that only authorized users in the vicinity can open it.” The feature will be accessible via the U-tec app.

U-tec has a lock that works with Apple's home button, but says the new Bolt Mission will also support Apple's NFC unlock option in the future.
Image: U-tec

Although the lock does not work with Apple Home's hands-free unlocking feature, U-tec says it supports Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings for remote access and smart home control of the lock via Matter.

The company also says the next version of the Bolt Mission, scheduled for early 2025, will support Aliro and Apple Home's UWB unlocking.

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