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Added reference to Aldwin Balungay. Outsourced email support operator. that explains the non-information received in email responses.
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==Current status==
==Current status==
Per Lockitron's Aldwin Balungay in an email response, as of May 2016 Lockitron refuses to provide delivery information, or run rates to allow customers stranded for more than 3 years, allowing them to estimate if they will ever see the products ordered and paid for. Further Lockitron has denied a request for contact with senior Lockitron officials to discuss problems. With Lockitron unwilling to provide truthful delivery information, It would be reasonable to assume that Lockitron has not made substantial shipments, and it appears that thousands of early backers may have been left stranded.
Per Lockitron's Aldwin Balungay<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freelancer.com/u/silentaldzs.html|title=Aldwin Balungay - Data Entry Operator - Philippines {{!}} Freelancer|website=www.freelancer.com|access-date=2016-09-28}}</ref> in an email response, as of May 2016 Lockitron refuses to provide delivery information, or run rates to allow customers stranded for more than 3 years, allowing them to estimate if they will ever see the products ordered and paid for. Further Lockitron has denied a request for contact with senior Lockitron officials to discuss problems. With Lockitron unwilling to provide truthful delivery information, It would be reasonable to assume that Lockitron has not made substantial shipments, and it appears that thousands of early backers may have been left stranded.
<ref>BALUNGAY, A.
<ref>BALUNGAY, A.
Email Response to an email query on shipments
Email Response to an email query on shipments

Revision as of 01:27, 28 September 2016

Lockitron
Also known asLockitron
ManufacturerApigy Inc.
Introductory priceOriginal Backers: USD 149
Pre-orders: USD 179
ConnectivityWiFi
Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy
Power4AA Batteries, last for 6 months
Websitelockitron.com

Lockitron is a device which can lock and unlock deadbolt locks via remote control, typically a smartphone.[1][2] The device is made by Apigy, a start-up based in Mountain View, California.

As of now, Lockitron has effectively stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars from consumers by taking orders and shipping no products. Some customers retort having ordered products years ago.

The device fits over the lock control mechanism on the inside of a door, and the door can then be unlocked via an app on the phone, or via web page control. Phones with Bluetooth Low Energy (4.0) can also automatically unlock a door when an authenticated device is nearby.[3] A supplied NFC tag can be read to trigger a command to toggle the state of the lock.[4]

Virtual "keys" can also be created for guests or repair contractors etc., which allows access to the home. The virtual keys can be distributed over the internet on demand, and can also be revoked on demand.[5] The door can also be locked or unlocked via an SMS "key" for those without smartphones.[6]

The original lock continues to work with traditional keys.[7] When a traditional key is used, the device can send a notification to a smartphone.[8]

The device also exposes a web-accessible API, and is built around an ATMega microprocessor meaning that it is Arduino compatible for other custom behavior. Lockitron also supports integration with Doorbot, a doorbell system that sends video and voice from the door to a smartphone.[9] It can also integrate with Lumawake, and will automatically lock your doors when Lumawake detects you are asleep.[10] Other devices that have promised integration with Lockitron include the SmartThings Hub which will lock or unlock the device based on preprogrammed rules and the Pebble Smartwatch which will connect to Lockitron directly over Bluetooth Low Energy to use the Pebble watch as a key.[11]

Development

Apigy originally offered a full replacement door lock version of Lockitron in 2011 before announcing a new version of Lockitron in 2012 which fits over preexisting deadbolt locks.[7][12][13] The new version of Lockitron incorporated a number of improvements over the original Lockitron deadbolt including built-in WiFi, replacing a wired basestation, built-in auto-unlock technology through Bluetooth Low Energy as well as a simplified installation by making Lockitron a device that fits over a preexisting deadbolt lock.[14]

Lockitron was rejected from Kickstarter, after they changed their policies regarding hardware funding.[15] The creators claim the rejection was due to Lockitron's status as a "home improvement" product, but this has not been confirmed by Kickstarter.[16] After their rejection, the founders of Apigy, Cameron Robertson and Paul Gerhardt, built their own crowdfunding website in a matter of days and used it to garner over $1.5 million in preorders during the first week of their campaign in October 2012.[17] Apigy subsequently open sourced their crowdfunding software as Selfstarter, an alternative crowdfunding site.[16][18][19] Apigy was a graduate of the Y Combinator start-up accelerator.

As of February 2014, the Lockitron had not yet shipped in substantial numbers.[20] The most recent update released by Apigy in March 2016 notes all domestic Quicksilver Bolts (the replacement for Lockitron) have shipped, but any orders with the new Bridge have not shipped yet.[21]

Current status

Per Lockitron's Aldwin Balungay[22] in an email response, as of May 2016 Lockitron refuses to provide delivery information, or run rates to allow customers stranded for more than 3 years, allowing them to estimate if they will ever see the products ordered and paid for. Further Lockitron has denied a request for contact with senior Lockitron officials to discuss problems. With Lockitron unwilling to provide truthful delivery information, It would be reasonable to assume that Lockitron has not made substantial shipments, and it appears that thousands of early backers may have been left stranded. [23]

Blog posts used to be frequent, but the last one was made May 2016.[24] Their last tweet out was 5 August,[25] however, there was a flurry of replies as recent as 8 September.[26] It's reasonable to assume that Lockitron is struggling, and without financial help, no further orders will be fulfilled.

References

  1. ^ "The Goods: August 2011's Hottest Gadgets".
  2. ^ "Lockitron". DIY Network.
  3. ^ "Lockitron launches iPhone-controlled keyless lock that pings you when someone knocks (video)".
  4. ^ Grove, Jennifer Van. "Use Your Phone To Lock & Unlock Doors From Anywhere in the World".
  5. ^ "Tools of Entry, No Need for a Key Chain". The New York Times. 4 July 2011.
  6. ^ "Lockitron: Unlock Your Home With Your Cellphone".
  7. ^ a b Burns, Matt. "YC-Alum Lockitron Is Back With A New Kit That Allows Smartphones To Control Dumb Deadbolts".
  8. ^ "Nothing found for 2013 01 21 How Houses Are Getting Smarter More Connected".
  9. ^ "Home Automation Future and Present: WiFi Lightbulbs, Speakers and Doorlocks". 14 February 2013.
  10. ^ Brian, Matt (11 December 2012). "Lumawake & Lockitron Partner to Lock Your Doors The Minute You Fall Asleep".
  11. ^ "One Day Left to Reserve Lockitron for $149".
  12. ^ Tsotsis, Alexia. "Lockitron Lets You Unlock Your Door With Your Phone".
  13. ^ "New Lockitron, the Keyless Lock, Will Message Your iPhone When Someone Knocks".
  14. ^ White, Charlie. "Lockitron Lets You Unlock the Door With Your iPhone [VIDEO]".
  15. ^ "Kickstarter Is Not a Store".
  16. ^ a b Contributor. "The Story Of Lockitron: Crowdfunding Without Kickstarter". {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  17. ^ CNBC.com, Erin Horan (8 October 2012). "Lockitron: How a Startup Overcame Kickstarter's Rejection".
  18. ^ "Rejected Kickstarter Projects Build Their Own Success Stories".
  19. ^ "lockitron/selfstarter".
  20. ^ Lomas, Natasha. "Lockitron Still Hasn't Shipped To Most Backers Over A Year After Its $2.2M Crowdfunding Effort".
  21. ^ "Order Progress, Send us a Text, Lockitron Reviews". Lockitron.
  22. ^ "Aldwin Balungay - Data Entry Operator - Philippines | Freelancer". www.freelancer.com. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
  23. ^ BALUNGAY, A. Email Response to an email query on shipments In-text: (Balungay)
  24. ^ "Order Progress, Send us a Text, Lockitron Reviews". Lockitron Blog. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  25. ^ "Lockitron (@lockitron) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  26. ^ "Tweets with replies by Lockitron (@lockitron) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
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