Earlier this year, Silicon Valley smart home specialist U-tec took the covers off of the Ultraloq Bolt Matter Fingerprint Edition, touted as one of the world’s first smart Wi-Fi deadbolts compatible with Matter, and also the first Matter-over-Thread smart lock to feature a fingerprint reader.
And now the Union City brand is back with another first: the Bolt Mission UWB+NFC – the first smart lock to support ultra-wideband (UWB) technology.
Like the tech found in car keys, UWB will, we’re informed, offer a more reliable, hands-free unlocking experience compared to existing methods that rely on Bluetooth, GPS, or Wi-Fi.
Ultra-wideband is a wireless protocol that operates at high frequencies, allowing devices to communicate and track precise location over short distances.
This enables the lock to accurately detect when an authorized user approaches, unlocking automatically and securely.
U-tec claims this makes the Bolt Mission more efficient than previous auto-unlock methods, which can often be laggy or inconsistent.
The Ultraloq Bolt Mission also supports NFC unlocking, with compatibility for Android devices at launch.
Along with its next-gen features, the lock also offers more traditional entry options, including a keypad for PIN codes and a key slot for manual use.
The smart lock integrates with major smart home platforms such as Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings.
Although Apple recently announced support for hands-free UWB unlocking in HomeKit, the first version of the Bolt Mission will not be compatible with that functionality.
A later version, expected in 2025, will support both the Matter and Aliro standards, enabling integration with Apple’s Home Key.
While U-tec has yet to announce pricing, the Bolt Mission is slated for a launch later this year, with pre-orders shipping in Q1 2025.
U-tec has high hopes for a new UWB smart lock industry, with Mark Vena, the brand’s Director of Business Partnerships, claiming it could be a $2 billion market.
