abstract：U-tec has launched the Ultraloq Bolt Mission UWB+NFC smart lock, the world's first to use Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology. UWB provides precise spatial awareness and secure contactless access, transforming modern access control systems.

Smart home manufacturer U-tec reportedly issued a press release on 12 September announcing the launch of the Ultraloq Bolt Mission UWB+NFC, the world's first smart lock product to use Ultra Wide-band (UWB) technology.

Official says they hope to revolutionize modern access control systems by deploying UWB technology to provide precise spatial perception and a safe, contactless access experience.

As the technology continues to evolve, we will see the birth of a whole new way of unlocking senselessly in the near and medium range.

What is UWB technology? What are its characteristics when applied to door locks?

WHAT IS UWB?

Smart home manufacturer U-tec reportedly issued a press release on 12 September announcing the launch of the Ultraloq Bolt Mission UWB+NFC, the world's first smart lock product to use Ultra Wide-band (UWB) technology.Officials say they hope to revolutionize modern access control systems by deploying UWB technology to provide precise spatial perception and a safe, contactless access experience.

The main principle of UWB positioning technology is that it uses TOF (time-of-flight) ranging, which uses the time of flight of a signal between two transceivers to measure the distance between nodes. Through the indoor arrangement of several known coordinates of the positioning base station, the need to locate the person carrying the positioning tag, the tag according to a certain frequency emission pulse, constantly and several base stations for ranging, through a certain precise algorithm to determine the location of the tag. The schematic diagram is as follows:

In layman's terms, this means that a UWB chip is built into the device and the user only needs to carry a location tag (e.g. a mobile phone) to be able to locate the product and perform a number of functions.

As a case in point, in 2020, Xiaomi for the first time announced its own ‘One Finger Connection’ technology based on UWB technology, and showed a demonstration of its control of Mijia eco-products during the official announcement, as follows:

▲One Finger Control for TV

▲One Finger Connection Control Fan

As you can see from the above, the control interface automatically pops up when the phone is turned to the fan. This interaction mode is very convenient as it eliminates the need to open the mobile phone, select the APP, choose the product and many other intermediate steps. The image above shows a series of roles of UWB - range measurement, positioning, identification, control, etc.

The characteristics of UWB have led to its use in security applications as well.In late 2022, Samsung and Zigbang joined forces to launch a smart door lock with an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) chip. The lock senses a digital home key from Samsung's wallet on a mobile phone, and users don't need to enter a password or open a mobile app on the lock, which is automatically unlocked when the mobile phone is close to the door lock.

In addition to Samsung, there are a number of headline brands in the industry that are exploring the use of UWB in door locks.

The past and present life of UWB

Currently more mainstream indoor positioning technology, mainly Bluetooth, WIFI, UWB, although born as early as the 1960s, but initially used mainly for radar, low interception rate / low detection rate of the military until about 2022, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission began to approve its entry into the civilian range.

Compared with Bluetooth and WIFI, UWB technology has the features of high positioning accuracy, fast transmission speed, long transmission distance and simple system. Even so, Bluetooth and WIFI are still the choice of most brands because of the advantages of long development time and low cost, therefore, the relationship between UWB and Bluetooth and WIFI may not be a replacement relationship, but coexistence.

▲Comparison of UWB and other wireless communication technologies

The time-stamped ranging principle of UWB makes it virtually impossible for UWB to falsify their position by being intercepted and copied, and has therefore been used in many industries in recent years.

In the smart home sector, with the popularity of whole-house intelligence, precise positioning provides a much better experience and connectivity, and UWB centimetre-level accuracy is much higher than Bluetooth and WiFi.

Next is the mobile phone and other consumer electronics field, Apple's iphone11, AirTag (anti-lost artifacts), Airpods II headphones; and finally is the automotive field, based on UWB technology, can be remotely controlled auto-locking, auto-driving, engine start-stop, and positioning and so on; the security field, the POS terminals, smart locks and so on.

▲Apple 11 with UWB technology

▲Automotive digital key with UWB technology

▲Apple Airpods

According to the UWB function to distinguish, positioning function mainly involves tunnels, chemical plants, power plants, substations, public prosecutors and law enforcement, high-speed railway stations, airports, factories, warehousing and logistics. Unlocking is mainly used for automobiles, smart door locks, object labelling, and so on.

In terms of enterprises, the well-known global and domestic UWB solution providers mainly include NXP, Decawave (Qooroo), Pozyx, Wuxu, SnailTech, ANO TC, and Techtronics.

At present, the UWB technology track has a lot of well-known enterprises in the world, such as Apple, Google, Samsung, oppo, millet, etc., and has launched many smart products. It is reported that in the smart lock industry, there are also some brands that have been exploring the application of UWB technology in recent years.