Forget batteries, any light charges this lock

Forget batteries, any light charges this lock

The Brinks Array is notable for two reasons: first, it connects with your Wi-Fi, so you don't need a hub to use it. Second, any light -- not just sunlight -- will charge it, so batteries shouldn't be much of a concern.

Brinks mitigates the problem with a Lithium battery that can supposedly last a full year on its own under normal use, and the solar panel should hopefully keep it going much longer than that. A representative was hopeful that in a home with a moderate amount of direct sunlight, the panel could last a lifetime.

SMART LOCK OPTIONS

• Kwikset Premis
• August Smart Lock
• Schlage Sense

Without direct sunlight, you might have to replace those batteries eventually, but the unique tech of the Brinks Array can supposedly draw at least some power from any light source. Even your porchlight will charge it a bit. 1 hour of sunlight gives it 3% of its annual battery life, meaning you'd really only need roughly 33 hours over the course of the year to keep it fully charged.

How much power it draws from other sources is unclear, and the Brinks representative I spoke to didn't offer any battery estimates between the base of one year with no charge and his ambitious hope of a lifetime. That's understandable as the lock is still in the early stages of development, and not due out until later this year. Though, the hardware at least looked pretty well finished when I saw it at CES 2016. The app, however, wasn't ready for a demo.

The rest of the lock's features are pretty standard

• You can issue electronic keys that only work within a limited time frame
• You can see time stamps of who unlocked the door when
• The smartphone averse members of your family can unlock the door with the keypad under the solar panel or an old-fashioned key.

When you're leaving, you can simply press the button on the front and the deadbolt will seal. For obvious security reasons, that button functionality doesn't work for unlocking the door.