The year 2024 was a period of consolidation for the smart home industry, with companies adjusting to the reality that the Matter interoperability standard would take time to gain traction. However, one category bucked this trend: smart door locks. In 2024, smart locks saw more innovation than almost any other category in the smart home, with major players like Lockly, Philips, ADT, and Google Nest launching new products and features.

One of the key reasons for the surge in smart lock innovation is their relative simplicity and ease of use. Unlike other smart home devices, smart locks are straightforward to install and operate, making them an attractive entry point for consumers looking to dip their toes into the smart home ecosystem. Additionally, smart locks can be used independently of a smart home platform or hub, although they can offer additional benefits when integrated with these systems.

In 2025, smart locks are expected to become even more advanced, with the launch of Aliro, a new cross-platform protocol developed by Apple, Google, Samsung, and major lock manufacturers. Aliro will allow smartphones, smartwatches, and other compatible personal devices to become digital keys for locks, providing a standard way to use these devices as digital keys. This technology builds on the success of Apple's Home Key feature, which enables users to unlock their doors by tapping their Apple Watch or iPhone to it.

Aliro will bring a simpler, more accurate hands-free unlocking experience to smart locks with ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. UWB is an emerging technology for precise positioning, which will allow locks to unlock automatically as users approach the door, eliminating the need for tapping or manual unlocking. Both the lock and the phone or watch will need to have a UWB chip, and Apple has already announced support for auto-unlocking on iPhones and Apple Watches, as has Samsung for its Galaxy phones and watches.

While there are currently no smart locks compatible with UWB unlocking, several manufacturers have announced plans to support the standard. U-tec has already announced a lock with UWB, Kwikset has hinted at supporting the standard, and Allegion, the company that owns Schlage, is likely to follow suit given its involvement in developing Aliro.

Another significant development in the smart lock industry is the improvement in power and interoperability. Two long-standing issues with smart locks have been short battery life and limited support for different smart home platforms. However, with the adoption of Matter-over-Thread, the smart home standard and its connectivity protocol designed for battery-powered IoT devices like smart locks, these issues are expected to be resolved. Matter will enable smart locks to work with any smart home platform, while Thread will help them consume less power than Wi-Fi-based locks.

By the end of 2025, most smart locks are expected to be compatible with any smart home platform and offer at least a year of battery life, a significant improvement over the current three to six months. This will make smart locks a more appealing option for consumers, and with prices starting to come down, the smart lock market is poised for significant growth in the coming year.

In conclusion, 2025 is shaping up to be an excellent year for smart locks, with advancements in facial recognition, palm print locks, and cross-platform protocols like Aliro set to revolutionize home security and convenience. As the industry continues to innovate and improve, smart locks are likely to become an essential component of the smart home ecosystem.