UniKey
UniKey Technologies is an alternative access control company based in the United States that designs and licenses keyless entry technology worldwide. Its first product in partnership with Kwikset was Kēvo, a Bluetooth-enabled deadbolt door lock.
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Technology Access control Home security Software |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Phil Dumas (president & CEO) |
| Headquarters | Orlando, Florida |
| Brands | Kwikset Kevo |
Number of employees | 40–60 |
| Website | unikey.com |
UniKey Technologies is an alternative access control company based in the United States that designs and licenses keyless entry technology worldwide. Its first product in partnership with Kwikset was Kēvo, a Bluetooth-enabled deadbolt door lock.
History
[edit]UniKey Technologies was founded in 2010 in Florida by Phil Dumas.[1][2] Dumas previously worked to develop SmartScan, fingerprint-reading residential deadbolt lock which Dumas described as too unreliable. He started UniKey to sell locks which use smartphone technology to open locks instead of physical keys.[1][2][3]
In May 2012 Dumas and UniKey Technologies appeared on ABC's reality series Shark Tank.[4] Although UniKey received multiple investment offers on the show, no deal was finalized.[1][2]
Kēvo Lock
[edit]Launched in 2013, Kēvo was the first Bluetooth-enabled touch-to-open smart lock.[5][6] Kēvo can detect a user's compatible smartphone or tablet (via an app) to lock and unlock the door. The deadbolt lock detects when the user's phone is nearby and if it's outside; the phone emits a low-energy Bluetooth signal, allowing the door to be unlocked when the lock face is touched, making it unnecessary to interact with the phone in order to open the door. Users can grant unrestricted or temporary access to other phones as well. Kēvo also comes with a keychain fob that provides the same touch-to-open function as an authorized smart phone.[1][4][7][8] The device also has the ability to detect whether a verified device is currently inside or outside the home. If an authorized device is known to be inside the house, unauthorized users are unable to activate Kēvo from outside.[9]
In October 2025, UniKey announced that in response to Assa Abloy (who had bought out Kwikset) announcing termination of Kevo infrastructure, they would be taking over and keeping the Kevo service and mobile apps operational.
Partnerships
[edit]In June 2014, UniKey and MIWA Lock Company announced a partnership to offer keyless entry to hotels. UniKey developed a touch-to-open passive keyless entry system to be integrated into MIWA's existing radio-frequency identification hospitality locks. The keys are activated through smartphone apps. When guests check in through the app, they are sent their room number and the phone is enabled to act as a virtual key.[10][11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Burns, Matt (2012-06-23). "After Surviving ABC's 'Shark Tank', Unikey Technologies Raises $1.1M For Smartphone Door Keys". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
- ^ a b c Lacy, Sarah (May 8, 2013). "Life after "Shark Tank" — The real story of how UniKey finally came to market". Pando Daily. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ Freed, Tim (Jun 15, 2012). "Phil Dumas, president and founder, UniKey Technologies Inc". www.bizjournals.com. Orlando Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
- ^ a b Shontell, Alyson. "AT LAST: A Secure, Key-Free Way To Unlock Your Front Door Has Been Invented". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
- ^ Wolpin, Stewart (2013-11-29). "UniKey Unlocks Doors by Touch, for 21st Century Entry". Mashable. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
- ^ Lindsey Adler, "UniKey is Making Our Keyless Future Happen" Archived 2014-07-05 at the Wayback Machine, AV Network, May 6, 2014.
- ^ "UniKey-powered Kevo aims to make Apple's iPhone the ultimate secure wireless house key". AppleInsider. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
- ^ J. Luis, "Kwikset Kevo Review", Gambit Magazine, May 19, 2014.
- ^ Mikey Campbell, "Review: Kwikset's new iPhone-compatible 'Kevo' keyless deadbolt lock", AppleInsider, October 30, 2013.
- ^ Nancy Trejos, "Going keyless is the key: The hotel room key goes mobile", USA Today, June 29, 2014.
- ^ "HITEC 2014: UniKey and MIWA Team to Offer Keyless Entry Solution", Hospitality Technology, June 27, 2014.