Smart home technology is increasingly moving beyond concepts and into the home and the latest innovation is a smart door that was introduced at CES 2022. The Consumer Electronics Show is full of wonders, from the practical to the absurd, and as crazy as a smart door sounds at first, it actually could be one of the most sensible smart home solutions to date. As smart home technology becomes more common, it also becomes more affordable and practical for home security and convenience.
The Internet of Things is a broader category that includes smart home technology and while it is becoming more pervasive, it hasn't really reached its full potential yet. Communication standards were once a problem and while that issue hasn't been worked out fully, the growth of Amazon's and Google's systems are beginning to ease that concern. Connectivity and power are still quite limiting since the burden falls upon the user and smart home components are often user-installed.
Masonite is not a name that is normally associated with consumer electronics, however, CES was witness to the announcement of the world's first smart door. Designed to make life easier for homeowners, Masonite made a good case for the importance of its M-Pwr technology-filled door which makes it much easier to add and update a smart door lock and smart video doorbell. The fiberglass door is available in a variety of styles and colors and comes with door sensors that activate LED lights. While smart locks and video doorbells have been on the market for quite some time, installing them can be a challenge, requiring precision drilling, alignment, and wiring. All of this must be done without compromising the security and weatherproofing that's needed for a home's entryway.
An All-In-One Solution
Masonite's M-Pwr smart door solution is designed to simplify the use of smart home technology. Some smart locks, video doorbells, and lights run on batteries as a shortcut to make installation easier, however, that risks failure as the power level falls over time. A hardwired solution is best but difficult to set up. Masonite's M-Pwr solves that by integrating power and internet connectivity into the smart door. A 24-hour backup battery is included in the smart door to make sure it can be used normally even if there is a power outage.
To ensure M-Pwr is more reliable than a DIY system, the company requires professional installation, but once it's set up, the Ring smart doorbell and Yale smart lock can be upgraded or swapped for another type with minimal hassle. Partnering with industry leaders, while keeping freedom of choice, means the user isn't locked into a less than ideal solution and can choose enhanced features and new models whenever they become available. Pricing for Masonite's M-Pwr isn't known at this time and the smart door is currently only available with new home construction, taking a little of the shine off this interesting new smart home solution.
Source: Masonite