Austrian smart lock maker Nuki has finally launched its long-anticipated Nuki Smart Lock 4.0. The new smart lock is the company’s fourth generation of its retrofit smart lock for European-style doors, and it is the first to be built intentionally to be compatible with the new smart home standard of Matter-over-Thread. According to Chief Innovation Officer Jürgen Pansy, “We are the world’s first smart lock to fully integrate Matter into the product. No bridge or module is required, and parallel use with manufacturers’ apps is possible without limitations.”
The Nuki Smart Lock 4.0 is available in two versions: a standard model for €169 (about $181) which requires a separate bridge to connect to Wi-Fi, and a Pro version with higher quality materials and Wi-Fi built-in for €279 (about $299). The Nuki lock was available for purchase on Tuesday, November 14th, at Nuki’s online store, and on Amazon beginning November 15th. Although the lock is only available for purchase in Europe, it can be shipped to the US.
The Nuki Smart Lock 4.0 supports Thread, which is an IP-based mesh networking protocol specifically designed for smart home devices. Its addition brings benefits such as longer battery life, increased reliability over Wi-Fi, and faster speed over Bluetooth. Batteries in the Nuki Smart Lock 4.0 are expected to last 30 percent longer compared to prior models, up to six months. Matter will bring easier integration into smart home systems and allows for full local control of the lock on all platforms.
Remote accessing the lock without using the Wi-Fi connection is now possible via a Matter controller with Thread. At launch, this feature will be enabled on the Pro lock using any Apple Home or Google Home Matter controllers, with support for Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings controllers coming soon. The standard lock will require a one-time €39 ($42) charge to enable support for remote access via Thread. However, both versions will still support direct integrations with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and platforms such as Home Assistant and Home Bridge, alongside Matter.
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Matter is a new smart home interoperability standard designed to provide a common language for connected devices to communicate locally in your home without relying on a cloud connection. It is built to be secure and private, easy to set up, and widely compatible. Matter is an open-sourced, IP-based connectivity software layer for smart home devices. It works over Wi-Fi, ethernet, and the low-power mesh networking protocol Thread and currently supports over 20 device types.
Pansy says that the previous generation Nuki locks will not be upgraded to support Matter, citing technical limitations. The locks are also not currently compatible with Apple HomeKey, but the company is working on integration.
In addition to the new locks, Nuki is launching a Pro version of its fingerprint keypad accessory, which adds a stainless steel front and in-wall mount. Both Matter-enabled smart locks are compatible with the new Keypad. Nuki also sells a keypad without a fingerprint, a door sensor, additional rechargeable battery packs, and a key fob.
While the lock can be shipped to the US if you have a compatible door, there is currently no Nuki model that works on American-style deadbolts. However, Pansy says that the company is exploring developing a lock for the US market. Nuki is also involved in the new Aliro access control standard announced last week by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, the group behind Matter.
Overall, the Nuki Smart Lock 4.0 is an exciting new addition to the smart lock market, offering a wide array of features and compatibility with various smart home platforms. With its introduction of the Matter-over-Thread standard, the Nuki Smart Lock 4.0 is sure to make a significant impact in the industry.
