DEN Smarthome Unveils World’s First Z-Wave® Smart Door Strike to Unlock the Future of Access Control
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Smart locks have been around for quite some time, but the lack of innovation in this segment has resulted in locks that simply have not caught up to the wants, needs, and demands of the modern consumer: reliability, long battery life, and clean designs that do not require tools and disassembly every time a battery needs to be changed . Traditional smart locks tend to have large keypads that do not align with the simple, modern aesthetics that permeate today’s interior design trends. More importantly, these keypads tend to attract break-ins – especially at secondary homes such as rentals or vacation properties.
DEN Smarthome—rooted in decades of structural design heritage—has introduced a brilliantly simple solution that is changing the smart lock landscape with its recently launched DEN SmartStrike™. This is the first smart lock to integrate the smart components into the door frame rather than the door hardware. This unique design ensures a sleek, unobtrusive look and whisper-quiet operation, guaranteeing long battery life, broad device interoperability, enhanced security, and an overall hassle-free experience for both installers and users. At the core of this innovation is Z-Wave Long Range (LR), which offers the durability, interoperability, and reliability criteria essential for modern and secure smart home solutions.
Why Fix What Isn’t Broken?
To Ensure it Stays That Way.
The basics of traditional smart locks haven’t changed in quite some time, so consumers have come to accept them for what they are. The biggest complaint that surrounds these tends to be around short battery life and loud operation. Smart locks are constrained to the duration of alkaline batteries, which are notorious for losing power, on average, after just a year or less. These bulky locks are not only protruding from the door but also call for regular maintenance – a task that can be daunting if being done on a large scale. Imagine running around to change the batteries of hundreds – even thousands – of locks at a large-scale multi-dwelling unit (MDU).
DEN Smarthome sought to address these issues by creating a smart lock that is efficient, secure, structurally correct, and visually unobtrusive. This is no small task—especially when security is on the line—so they looked for a robust, well-established technology to help make the DEN SmartStrike the simple and secure lock of the future.
The Challenge
Traditional smart locks are often bulky and loud, with short battery life and limited wireless range, posing challenges for both individual consumers and large-scale installations alike. DEN Smarthome set out to solve these challenges by delivering smart access control without disrupting a door’s aesthetics.
The Solution
DEN Smarthome developed the DEN SmartStrike™, an innovative, secure, and visually discrete solution for residential access control. Integrated into the strike plate rather than the door hardware, the DEN SmartStrike™ is powered by Z-Wave Long Range (LR) technology and the power management capabilities of the Silicon Labs Z-Wave 800 to deliver long battery life, seamless interoperability, and enhanced security. This ensures a hassle-free experience for both homeowners and installers.
The Result
The DEN SmartStrike delivers a sleek, robust, and reliable smart lock solution that can operate for up to two years on two lithium AA batteries. Its innovative design and Z-Wave LR integration are already making it a popular choice among homeowners, builders, and architects in just a few months after launch.
DEN Smarthome Selects Z-Wave LR to Power SmartStrike
With decades of smart lock feedback in their back pocket, DEN Smarthome knew what customers were clamoring for and set out to create the SmartStrike with Z-Wave LR and the Silicon Labs Z-Wave 800 as its backbone:
- Interoperability: The application is where Z-Wave LR and the Z-Wave 800 shines. The open and interoperable protocol ensures that the DEN SmartStrike can seamlessly integrate with a wide range of smart home devices and ecosystems while centralizing access in a single phone app. The track record of Silicon Labs and the feature set available on the Z-Wave 800 made the selection process an easy one.
- Power Management: The Z-Wave 800 optimizes radio output power at every transmission and leverages dynamic power control, enabling the DEN SmartStrike to operate for up to two years on just two lithium AA batteries.
- Reliability and Range: Crafted with precision using only four simple moving parts, the DEN SmartStrike showcases unparalleled physical durability. And, thanks to Z-Wave, homeowners have more latitude in where the strike can be installed regardless of distance—crucial for locations such as standalone garages, pool houses, or storage rooms where traditional connectivity solutions might fall short.
The result is a brilliant, simple smart lock you can “set and forget.”
Simplicity is Key with Smart Door Strikes
The beauty of the DEN SmartStrike’s innovative design goes beyond aesthetics. It’s also practical. DEN Smarthome has ensured that the installation kit comes with the right tools to achieve a precise and secure fit in just a few minutes. The process promises to be easy for both professional installers and DIY enthusiasts.
Now -- while the DEN SmartStrike will require replacing the traditional strike plate with one fitted for the device -- this serves a very specific purpose: to improve the structural integrity of the door and lock, enhancing security against forced entry. The use of longer screws and improved materials also strengthens the door's resistance to tampering.
This simplicity is what’s made the DEN SmartStrike a standout. Homeowners, builders, locksmiths, and architects all appreciate its simplicity, reliability, and innovative design, along with its concealed installation approach.
The ability to offer a secure, smart lock solution that does not require changing keys or deadbolts, or the constant replacement of batteries is a major selling point -- especially when it's backed by such robust technology as Z-Wave. We are excited to see the DEN SmartStrike meet the demands of the modern world.