Black & Decker announces Residential Access Control system

January 9, 3:13 PMGadgets ExaminerDan Appleman

Previous Next

2 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Gadgets Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Black & Decker offers remote controlled
motorized deadbolt.

Black & Decker announced their new Residential Access Control system at CES. A complete remote entry solution, it makes gives you total control over your lock including the ability to:

• Verify lock status and lock or unlock your door remotely via a mobile device or the Internet.
• Receive notifications when someone enters your home – great for tracking when the kids get home.
• Remotely add or delete entry codes.

One unique feature of the system is that the Black & Decker deadbolts are completely motorized (as compared to other systems that still require someone to turn the deadbolt after it has been remotely unlocked).

Black & Decker’s solution has another major difference from the recently announced Schlage LiNK that makes it worth serious consideration. Unlike LiNK, which is a standalone system, the Black & Decker solution is a more open architecture that is designed to be used as part of a security or home automation system. This enables complex scenarios such as:

• On locking the door, enable the alarm, and turn on lights and music to give the impression that someone is home.
• On unlocking the home in the evening, disable the alarm, turn on the lights, and start the coffeemaker.

Unlike LiNK, there are no monthly fees from Black & Decker for operation of the Residential Access Control system, however there may be fees associated with the home automation or security solution that is used to provide the remote access. The locks use industry standard home automation wireless protocols, so someone who does their own home automation can incorporate these locks into their system without any monthly fees.