U-tec Releases New Deadbolt Lock With Fingerprint Sensor

U-tec has unveiled a new Z-Wave smart lock with a built-in fingerprint sensor. The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Z-Wave is retailing for $229, and is being billed as the first deadbolt Z-Wave lock of its kind with fingerprint authentication.

As with other biometric smart locks, the addition of the fingerprint sensor will allow people to unlock their doors with a fingerprint scan rather than a key or a PIN, though the U-Bolt Pro does offer support for both of those more traditional factors. In that regard, fingerprint authentication is only one of the six ways that homeowners can unlock the device, with the U-Bolt Pro supplementing mechanical keys, PINs, and fingerprints with a smartphone app, an Apple Watch utility, and voice support through Alexa and Google Home integrations.

The lock can be integrated with Google Assistant and Alexa thanks to its Z-Wave connectivity. That also makes it compatible with many smart home hubs, including the Ring Alarm, SmartThings, and Hubitat. Those who do not have one of those devices can still unlock the U-Bolt with their phones through a Bluetooth connection, though they might not be able to unlock the device remotely without access to a wireless internet network.

Homeowners can manage the U-Bolt Pro through the U-Tec app, which allows people to issue guest keys to friends and family members and view an auditable log of access events. The device uses 128-bit AES encryption and a dynamic key to protect the personal information of those registered to the system, and offers a full year of battery life on a single charge.

The non-Pro edition of the U-Bolt lock gets rid of the fingerprint sensor, and is slightly more affordable at $179. U-tec previously featured a fingerprint sensor in the Ultraloq Lever, though that lock did not have a deadbolt and was geared more toward offices than residential settings.

Source: The Ambient

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January 21, 2022 – by Eric Weiss