Smart door hardware is rapidly evolving, with innovations in biometric authentication, smart home integration, and sustainable design leading the way for more secure, convenient, and eco-friendly home access solutions
While many people are still becoming familiar with the concept of smart locks, the smart door hardware market is evolving at pace. Keyless and mobile access solutions are becoming increasingly popular, shifting away from traditional keys to PIN codes, RFID key cards, biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition), and smartphone apps.
To understand how quickly smart solutions are being adopted and the various options coming onto the market, we spoke with Yale’s Ru-Yang Tan (owned by ASSA ABLOY), a product management specialist in smart door technology.
“For homeowners with traditional mechanical locks, it often takes a broken lock or seeing a smart lock in use at a friend's house or an Airbnb to spark interest. In contrast, new home builders are increasingly expecting digital locks on their front doors,” shares Tan.
“Initially, just having a keypad on the lock is a novelty, but as users learn about additional features like App control, biometrics or RFID, they appreciate the added convenience and peace of mind that smart locks offer.”
All new Yale smart products can be accessed and managed remotely via Wi-Fi or locally with Bluetooth.
When adopting smart door hardware in New Zealand, environmental factors such as changeable weather and UV exposure must be considered—hence why Yale has taken it upon themselves to design and develop smart locks tailored specific to our local climate.
“One example is the Unity Slim Smart Lock, which features 4-point locking to improve weathertightness and the ability to customise handle styles and colours to harmonise with the rest of the home's hardware, like window and sliding door handles. Furthermore, its various backset options make it suitable for use on hinged doors beyond the front door, such as side access doors, bifold doors, or French doors.”
Companies like Apple and Google are currently enhancing the seamless experience of smart connected devices through app technologies, with smart ‘ecosystems’ becoming more mainstream as smart access products for other entry points of the home—such as smart sliding door locks, window monitors and openers—enter the market.
“The Yale Home app is a solid example of a smart ecosystem,” says Tan, “All new Yale smart products can be accessed and managed remotely via Wi-Fi or locally with Bluetooth.”
A smart window actuator from ASSA ABLOY.
Current trends in smart door hardware
Customisation and aesthetics are becoming key features in modern door hardware, with more manufacturers, including well-known brands like Yale, offering custom colour finishes and handle designs. These options allow homeowners to choose door hardware that complements contemporary architectural styles, blending functionality with visual appeal.
In terms of convenience, auto-locking and proximity unlocking features are becoming standard in modern smart locks. Technologies like geofencing enable doors to automatically unlock when users approach, while auto-locking ensures doors close securely when not in use. These features make it easier than ever to manage home access, improving both security and convenience.
Smart home integration is another growing trend in door hardware. More smart locks and door systems are designed to seamlessly connect with major smart home ecosystems like Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa. This compatibility allows users to control access to their homes through voice commands and automation, enhancing both security and the overall smart home experience.
In addition to door hardware, smart window solutions are also gaining traction. The Yale Aeron® Window Actuator, for example, offers remote control and integration with the Yale Home App, providing enhanced convenience and energy efficiency for homeowners.
While not exactly a trend, sustainability is front of mind when designing Smart Locks made with energy-efficient components that consume less power, thereby contributing to a more sustainable future.
“ASSA ABLOY is committed to sustainability and we've begun incorporating a LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal,” shares Tan. “This assessment helps identify the environmental hotspots and areas of highest impact within the product's life cycle. As a result, we can select material and component that create products that are not only high-quality and functional but also environmentally responsible.”
Smart ‘ecosystems’ are becoming more mainstream as smart access products for other entry points of the home—such as smart sliding door locks, window monitors and openers—enter the market.
Future evolution of smart door hardware
The future of smart door hardware is set to evolve with more advanced biometrics, enhancing security and convenience. Technologies such as facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and palm scanning will become increasingly sophisticated, offering faster and more secure authentication methods for users. This evolution will ensure that access to homes is not only more reliable but also more personalised.
AI and predictive analytics are poised to play a significant role in the future of smart door systems. As AI continues to advance, its integration into smart home automation will expand. AI could be used in areas like power management, where it optimises energy consumption, and in pattern behaviour recognition, allowing devices to adapt to users' habits and improve overall home efficiency.
In the coming years, we can also expect to see full smart home ecosystem integration with smart locks.
“Future smart locks will be able to interact more intuitively with other devices of the smart home such as security cameras, smart lighting, and even delivery services to allow a seamless and secure smart home.”
How to ensure your smart door hardware integrates seamlessly with smart home devices and platforms
The development and improvement of the ‘Matter’ standard (a fairly recent connectivity standard that aims to enhance interoperability, connectivity and security) is being led by the CSA (Connectivity Standards Alliance) and its member companies, including ASSA ABLOY.
“ASSA ABLOY's active participation in the CSA allows us to stay ahead of industry developments, ensuring our smart door and window hardware remains at the forefront of innovation and prepared for the future," shares Tan. “In line with this aim, we ensure we're partnering with leading Smart Home Ecosystems Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung Smart Things.”
For homeowners who want to ensure the smart hardware they install now integrates seamlessly with other existing and future technologies, choosing hardware from companies that are members of the CSA is essential. By selecting hardware from CSA member companies, homeowners can be more confident that their smart devices will work seamlessly together, both now and in the future."
