Ring’s first smart lock can be hand-cranked when its battery dies
Amazon‑owned Ring is launching its first smart lock, a device that can be hand‑cranked to restore power when its battery dies, aiming to eliminate the common fear of being locked out of a home. The lock, designed by Ring founder Jamie Siminoff, incorporates a power dial that lets users turn the mechanism a few times to generate enough electricity to open the door, after which the removable rechargeable battery can be recharged in the usual way. It fits a standard single‑cylinder deadbolt and will be sold in the United States in the first quarter of 2027, pending FCC approval, with finishes in black, silver or brass. Entry methods include a fingerprint reader, a backlit touchscreen keypad, the Ring app and Alexa, and the lock will alert owners via the app when the battery is nearing the end of its roughly one‑year lifespan.
The hand‑crank solution addresses a key barrier to smart‑lock adoption: the anxiety that a dead battery could strand occupants or visitors, especially in rarely used properties such as vacation homes. Siminoff recounted his own experience trying to secure a seldom‑occupied house, where he feared the battery would die and lock out guests. By integrating a manual power‑generation feature, Ring hopes to differentiate its product from competitors that rely on hidden physical keys or other less secure backup methods. The lock also supports configurable access for periodic users like dog walkers or cleaners, and Ring plans to open the platform to third‑party developers for specialized applications, such as dynamic code changes for Airbnb rentals.
Beyond the lock, Ring introduced four new 4K cameras—Outdoor Cam 4K Plus, Spotlight Cam 4K Plus, Floodlight Cam 4K Plus and a pan‑tilt Indoor Cam 4K—expanding its broader smart‑home portfolio. The company’s move into the smart‑lock market reflects a strategic push to broaden its ecosystem and address consumer concerns that have slowed adoption of connected door hardware. If successful, the hand‑crank feature could set a new standard for backup power in smart‑home security devices, influencing both user expectations and competitor designs.
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