Wyze has unlocked another smart home innovation, turning to biometrics to help power a new door lock.
The Wyze Palm Lock, unveiled by the Kirkland, Wash.-based startup on Tuesday, relies on the unique pattern of veins beneath the surface of a person’s palm to serve as the key to unlocking the device.
The lock sells for $129.98 at Wyze.com.
The technology is reminiscent of Amazon One, the contactless service from Amazon that allows for quick identity verification via the wave of a palm. Wyze was founded in 2017 by a trio of Amazon veterans, and Melissa Kirmayer Eamer, who spent nearly 20 years at Amazon, including as vice president of the company’s Devices division, joined Wyze as president and chief operation officer this summer.
Wyze previously released, and still sells, a Wyze Lock Bolt that unlocks with fingerprint verification. The company calls palm biometrics faster and more reliable.
According to Wyze, the Palm Lock encrypts and stores all biometric data locally, rather than in the Wyze app or cloud, for added security. The device features an illuminated, numbered keypad where users can set and store up to 50 unique access codes. Friends and family can gain access with one-time guest passcodes that expire on a schedule, or homeowners can control the locks directly from the live view of a Wyze video doorbell.
Other features of the lock include:
- Auto-locking: A built-in gyroscope detects the angle and movement of the door in real time and automatically locks once it senses the door has closed, preventing false or jammed locks.
- Anti-peep technology: Users can add extra digits before or after the code, and Wyze Palm Lock will still unlock, maintaining privacy from bystanders who may try to remember the code.
- Tamper and ajar alarms: The lock speaks up and sounds an alarm if it detects tampering from excessive incorrect unlock attempts. It will also chirp if the door is accidentally left open.
- Dual battery system: A removable lithium-ion battery provides up to six months of battery life, while a secondary backup battery keeps things running for up to two weeks if needed.
- Mechanical lock and key option: Those who want to use a traditional key can slide down a damping cover and manually unlock the old-fashioned way.
Wyze raised $110 million in 2021 and ranks No. 12 on the GeekWire 200 list of top Pacific Northwest startups. The company started with security cameras but expanded to various other smart-home devices, now offering more than 70 different products.
Related:
- Former Amazon Devices VP joins Wyze as president and COO of smart-home hardware startup
- Wyze ‘Bulb Cam’ combines lightbulb and camera for new smart-home security option
