Hardware & Security
UNLOCKING THE FUTURE : MAXIMUM CONVENIENCE AND SECURITY COMBINED
In a fast-paced world , consumers are increasingly turning to smart home devices to support them in managing their daily lives , with maximum efficiency . Here , Sumier Foster-Shah , Smart Security Product & Customer Support Manager at ERA , discusses the growing demand for smart security technology that offers convenience and peace of mind that homes , valuables and privacy are protected .
77 % of consumers who have embraced smart home devices believe that this type of technology improves their overall quality of life , states Deloitte . With that in mind , and sales of smart home devices soaring , it is evident that 2024 and beyond will see such devices become a staple in many homes .
Smart home technology is no longer a novelty but a key way for people to make their lives more comfortable , through convenience , energy efficiency , cost savings and customisation , and it can also help them to protect their homes and possessions . This is evident in the value of the global smart home security market which is estimated to have increased by 10.8 % from 2022 to 2023 , according to a recent Meltwater report .
CONVENIENCE MEETS ROBUST SECURITY
At the forefront of the smart security revolution is ERA ’ s TouchKey solution which has been designed to meet the needs of consumers looking for a seamless blend of convenience and security .
TouchKey is the only system of its kind to offer five different methods of entry , giving users maximum convenience . Consumers can choose to access their door by unlocking via fingerprint , using the ERA Smart Home app , geolocation , voice activation , or manually by a hidden key override .
In addition , for added efficiency , advanced biometric technology means that up to 50 authorised fingerprints can be stored directly into the handle at one given
time to provide multiple approved users with easy access to a property .
This biometric technology , which is used in over 11.5 billion devices worldwide , offers customers a fuss-free entrance into a property . This applies even when the weather isn ’ t ideal , thanks to a waterproof sensor tested to IP66 – the highest rating for waterproof protection - and a hydrophobic coating .
When using ERA ’ s Smart Home app , TouchKey can be unlocked with the simple touch of the app screen . The app e-keys can also offer timed access to permitted individuals , such as family , health care professionals or domestic workers .
Hands-free access is granted via personalised voice commands and geolocation technology , which means the system can unlock when a recognised smartphone ’ s Bluetooth connection is in range of the handle .
While convenience is key , security has also been a primary consideration for ERA in the development of TouchKey . The solution has been independently tested to BSI ’ s new Smart Residential Locking Device standard , which was developed in conjunction with ERA , combining the BSI Internet of Things ( IoT ) Kitemark with TS 621 for mechanical security with smart locking .
The solution has also been awarded the Secured by Design ( SBD ) Secure Connected Device accreditation , which has been launched specifically for Internet of Things ( IoT ) connected products .
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
As technology evolves , so too will smart home security options , especially considering that consumers are always looking for the most efficient and up to date ways of making their lives easier and their security more foolproof .
Biometric technology , which is a primary feature of TouchKey , will continue to play a pivotal role in the advancements of smart home security . As homeowners lean into enhanced identification , fingerprint technology will become increasingly popular and in the long-term , so will the use of facial recognition .
Not only will this offer users more in the way of convenience , given that home security will popularise hands-free entry , but it will also advance the development of ultra-secure access options .
www . eraeverywhere . com
50 JANUARY 2024 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM