Xthings has announced a new level of integration between its ULTRALOQ smart locks and Home Assistant, an open-source home automation platform. This move is meant to give users more choice and control over how they manage their home security devices. With this partnership, Xthings is making sure its products can work with several smart home systems, including Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Alexa.
The main focus of this announcement is the ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Z-Wave series. These smart locks use the Z-Wave protocol, which is known for its low delay and privacy features. They do not require a cloud connection, allowing for local control through Home Assistant. This can be important for users who want to keep their data private and avoid sending information to outside servers. The U-Bolt Z-Wave is available in both black and silver. It offers Z-Wave connectivity for direct use with Home Assistant. There is also the U-Bolt Pro Z-Wave, which has more features, such as fingerprint recognition and extra durability. Both models are available now.
Some of the main features of these new locks include the ability to automate routines in the home. For example, users can set up their Home Assistant system so that unlocking a door can turn on lights, adjust the temperature, or activate security cameras. It is also possible to arm or disarm alarms based on whether the door is locked or unlocked. Another feature is detailed access control. Homeowners can create virtual keys that only work during certain hours, or remove access quickly if needed. Lock activity can be linked with Google Calendar, which can help with scheduling for homes or small businesses. The system sends encrypted notifications for any unusual lock activity. These alerts do not rely on third-party apps, so information is kept private.
Xthings and its partners plan to keep expanding Home Assistant support in the future. The company will be launching new smart locks with a Z-Wave 2.0 update, which is said to improve response times by about 40 percent and increase the range for use in bigger homes. There are also plans for a new Latch Series. For developers, Xthings will make an open-source software development kit available. This will help people build their own firmware for special uses, such as managing rental properties.
To learn more about the new products and integration options, visit the ULTRALOQ website here.
