NFCKEY will change your understanding of everyday life

NFCKEY — smart door locks that open with a single touch of your smartphone. The basis of the technology lies in the name itself — NFC. The locks are opened with a phone in the same way that Apple Pay or Google Pay works with payment terminals: tap to pay, no internet or connection required.

This method of opening is our main distinguishing feature. We focused on a specific technology, brought it to a high level of quality, and created a minimalist and aesthetic lock without unnecessary features. Everything is simple, reliable, secure, and fast.

Let’s consider the main questions:

1. What is the essence? What is the problem here?
2. How does our solution differ from other options on the market?
3. What is the market situation in this area?
4. How is the technology designed, and how does it all work?
5. How can NFCKEY change people’s daily lives?

What is the issue? What is the problem here?

Let’s start with the problems:

The inconvenience of keys

Keys must be carried with you at all times, which is particularly inconvenient in warm weather. They can be forgotten, lost, or stolen, requiring the lock to be replaced. If a copy of the key is available, unauthorized access is possible without any obvious signs of break-in.

Transferring keys

There are a limited number of keys, and transferring them requires personal presence. Trusting keys to children always involves risks. At the same time, many children already have smartphones in elementary school, and to open the door via the app, you need to unlock the device, which provides additional protection.

Difficulties with opening

First, it takes time to open the door with a key. Second, some doors are difficult to open, which can be a problem for children or the elderly.

Have you ever wondered, "Did I remember to lock the apartment?"

With our technology, locking happens automatically.

Mechanism failure

Even a dirty key can make it difficult to open the door. Our lock’s automatic mechanism eliminates such situations and is designed to last for the entire life of the device.

Let’s get to the heart of the idea and technology:

All interaction takes place via a phone with NFC

Nowadays, even budget smartphones have NFC. Apple has had this technology since the iPhone 6s, i. e. since 2015. Importantly, you don’t need the internet or a Bluetooth connection to log in.

Flexible access control

Access can be granted remotely from anywhere in the world to an almost unlimited number of users.

Your phone is always with you

You don’t need a key, a key fob, or complicated manipulations. Just open the app and hold your phone up to the lock — everything else happens automatically, almost instantly.

Security

All data is encrypted, and access to the app is only possible after unlocking your phone. In case of phone loss, we offer two backup access options:

1. Code entry panel. In addition to NFC, the lock has a panel with a dynamic layout for entering your personal PIN code.

2. Keyhole for emergency entry. It is recommended to keep the key outside your home (in your car, backpack, etc.).

Protection against hacking

The lock is equipped with an alarm that sounds when someone tries to physically hack it. Hacking via the network is impossible, as the lock is not connected to the Internet.

The lock is battery-powered

Energy is only consumed when the lock is opened, so the batteries need to be replaced on average once a year. The lock continues to operate normally during power outages.

How does our solution differ from other options on the market?

Our technology is developed entirely in Russia. We use our own algorithms and software, purchasing only individual components for production.

Let’s consider the main categories of solutions on the market:

• Mass-produced Chinese solutions
• Korean manufacturers
• Aqara

Mass-produced Chinese solutions

Most Chinese options are similar devices with different designs. A typical lock (mortise or surface-mounted) usually has the following features:

• Passcode
• Fingerprint
• Tuya app
• Key fob and RFID tag

Passcode

It usually works in two modes:

1. Secure — first, you enter 5 random digits displayed by the app, then 5 digits of your choice, and then 5 random digits again.
2. Fast — only your passcode is entered.

The first option takes a long time, while the second can be compromised by traces on the keyboard if used regularly.

In our lock, the main method is contactless opening with a phone via NFC. It is faster, more reliable, and does not require memorizing codes.

For emergencies (dead or lost phone), we have also provided a panel for entering a code with a dynamically changing number layout. This eliminates the possibility of someone seeing the code, memorizing hand movements, or determining it from fingerprints.

Fingerprint

This method is convenient for personal use, but has limitations for rental scenarios, especially short-term rentals. Remote fingerprint access is not possible — the person must be physically present.

Also, dirty fingers can cause the scanner to fail to recognize the fingerprint.

It is important to note a common feature of smart locks on the market — the presence of a keyhole for emergency opening. This is a necessary element that provides access to the apartment under any circumstances: flooding, damage to electronics, vandalism, etc. This solution is used in both budget models and the premium segment.

Tuya app

This is a universal platform used by many smart lock manufacturers. It has basic functions: adding users, lock control, issuing one-time access, activity log for some models, and remote opening (if supported).

Many manufacturers use Tuya as a ready-made solution and do not have the ability to add their own features.

We have developed our own cross-platform application for Android and iOS. It has more than 20 features, some of which are specifically designed for landlords. We regularly add new features and improve existing ones based on user needs. The interface is designed for convenience, and technical support is also available.

The key fob has similar disadvantages to physical keys — you need to carry it with you, and you can lose or forget it.

Korean manufacturers

Korean solutions are higher quality equivalents with similar functionality. The main differences are the quality of assembly and components, and often the availability of their own app.

Korean brands occupy a prominent position in the market, but the cost of their solutions starts at 30,000 rubles.

Aqara

A large manufacturer that officially operates in Russia. This is a Chinese company with a wide range of products for smart homes. Their top models are sometimes unavailable on the Russian market.

The price range is 25,000-80,000 rubles, and the functionality includes fingerprint recognition, passcode, and integration with smart home ecosystems, including voice assistants.

The products are made to a high standard. We are not seeking to occupy the entire market — the smart lock sector is constantly growing, and demand is increasing. Our solution is focused on affordability while maintaining functionality and ease of use, taking into account the specifics of the Russian market.

Smart lock market

According to Fortune Business Insights, in 2024, the global smart home device market was worth $121.59 billion. By 2032, this figure is expected to reach $633.2 billion, with a growth rate of 23.1%.

The smart lock segment in Russia is worth about 9 billion rubles, and analysts predict that it could grow to 27 billion rubles in five years. At the same time, Russian manufacturers account for about 1% of the smart lock market.

According to our research, a significant portion of potential buyers either don’t know about smart locks and their advantages or have limited knowledge about them. This shows the market’s growth potential. Remember how quickly contactless payment via phone became commonplace — many users stopped using physical cards. We apply the same proven NFC technology in the field of smart locks.

How does the security technology work?

Let’s look at the main aspects:

1. All data is encrypted. When the phone is placed against the lock, encrypted keys are exchanged, and if they match, the lock opens.
2. When granting temporary access to another person, a key with a limited validity period is issued, after which access is automatically blocked.
3. Permanent users are added according to a hierarchy. Various roles are provided for convenient access management.
4. Login notifications are sent to all users with the appropriate rights. This requires an internet connection on the smartphone.
5. The lock itself does not have internet access. This solution avoids vulnerabilities associated with network connectivity. Specialized models are planned for tasks requiring constant connectivity.
6. The lock mechanism is protected from physical impact.
7. The lock is closed when there is no power, ensuring safety in the event of a power failure.

How can NFCKEY change everyday life?

Our goal is to make technology understandable and natural for everyday use.

The approach that inspired us is when technology combines existing solutions to become simple, convenient, and accessible to the mass user.

Instead of adding a bunch of features, we focused on the main thing — creating the most convenient and reliable way to open a door. We got rid of the extra stuff, kept what was necessary, and added some useful features.

At the same time, our goal is to make this lock accessible to city dwellers. Installation doesn’t require any special knowledge, and setup is intuitive.

How will this change your life? You will no longer have to think about keys. No more searching for them, worrying about forgetting them, or carrying them around. Instead, a quick tap on your phone opens the door. It’s a small but noticeable change that makes every day more convenient.

We believe that this approach — simple, reliable, and affordable — can contribute to the widespread adoption of smart locks.