Could There Soon Be Standards for Smart Home Security?
While it may sound like something you’d expect in Back to the Future, we could soon be able to use our smart devices to unlock our homes. Launched just yesterday, an effort called Aliro plans to develop an open standard for smart locks and digital keys. Work on this project began in 2021, under the name Access Control Working Group. From its start, companies such as Apple, Google, and Samsung have been on board.
What is Aliro?
Originally named the Acces Control Working Group, Aliro is following the same model that Matter used. Presently, you often have to download an application to have access to your front door, office, hotel room, etc.
Aliro’s ultimate goal is to standardize the various access points so you can use your phone as the key. Since it’s still a concept, it’s unclear how they plan to address compatibility with existing locks, or how to implement it in newer products.
What is Matter?
Next, Matter enables devices and ecosystems to work together. This includes devices such as Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant, and more. Essentially, it lets you use whichever voice assistant you prefer to control all of your smart devices. This means you can mix and match certain products enabling quicker setup and easier control. As of October 2023, Matter 1.2 added support for new devices including refrigerators, robot vacuums, air purifiers, and more.
In Conclusion
Though it may be a couple of years before we see official specifications for this standard, the players involved should almost guarantee success. The Verge confirmed, via an interview with Lisa Corte, that, “The specification gives flexibility to address various use cases, defining support for NFC, BLE, and UWB experiences.” I guess we will just have to wait and see how Aliro and Matter change smart home security!
Resources & Further Reading
Aliro. CSA. (2023, November 9). https://csa-iot.org/all-solutions/aliro/
Connectivity Standards Alliance. (2023, November 9). The Connectivity Standards Alliance announces Aliro, a new effort to make mobile devices & Wearables Central to a Digital Access Future. CSA. https://csa-iot.org/newsroom/the-connectivity-standards-alliance-announces-aliro-a-new-effort-to-make-mobile-devices-wearables-central-to-a-digital-access-future/
Hill, S. (2023, October 23). Here’s what the “matter” smart home standard is all about. Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-matter/#whatis
Tuohy, J. P. (2023, November 9). Aliro could unlock a new future for Smart Locks and Digital keys. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/9/23952637/csa-aliro-new-standard-smart-locks-digital-access
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