Klevio, a smart home startup from London, has officially launched its first product called Klevio One – an intercom system that connects to existing locks and enables remote control.
Klevio, a smart home startup from London, has officially launched its first product called Klevio One – an intercom system that connects to existing locks and enables remote control.
To make a lock smart, Klevio doesn’t tear out an existing lock and rely on a motor to unlock the door. Instead, Klevio makes use of the electric strike – which is found in many traditional locks today.
An electric strike sits in the doorframe, replacing the fixed metal keep, allowing the door to be opened electronically. Klevio would typically add electric strike to a private front door, while a communal door would be electrified already.
If an apartment already uses the electric strike as part of the lock, Klevio can be wired to interface with it and then controls it remotely. If the home doesn’t have an existing intercom, Klevio will install its intercom system.
Essentially what the company does is leveraging the old, tried and tested electric strike technology, and adding smart connectivity to it. Klevio will trigger the electric strike to open the door. And this can be done remotely via an Android or iOS device.
The app connects to the Klevio via Wi-Fi or 4G, allowing users to open private or communal door remotely with a swipe and press of a button.
Klevio uses bank-level encryption standards, providing the same level of security as when one makes bank transactions with the phone.
Users can keep their existing locks and old keys as a backup, and the use of Klevio is not apparent to others outside the building.
“Like Apple Pay, we don’t replace your credit card or cash, but we improve your user experience by giving you options,” said Aleš Špetič, co-founder and CEO at Klevio.
Klevio also lets users share and revoke digital keys remotely, so that a guest, friend or another party may enter the house even when users are not home.
The startup, which has attracted 1.2 million British Pound in funding, launched a 10-month pilot test with 1,000 users, and plans to roll out the product across the UK.