Today, we’re releasing our very first podcast on the topic of Women in Tech. In honor of International Women’s Day, UniKey’s Marketing Coordinator, Sofia Burton, sat down with two incredible women in the tech industry to discuss their experiences, how they arrived at their current positions, and advice they have for future generations. For Connie Klimko and Dr. Sarah Holderness, the path to entering the tech industry was full of perseverance, hard work, and commitment. Both Connie and Sarah not only work to exemplify the positive effects a woman can have on this maturing industry, but also the impact that diversity, as a whole, can have on an organization. To hear more about what motivated these women to be a part of the tech industry, check out the podcast below.
When you’re looking to integrate mobile access control solutions into your legacy PACS products, you want to do your homework before choosing the right system and partner. The primary focus for any valuable mobile access control supplier should always be on their diligent implementation of the latest security standards and methods of encryption. However, there are several other concerns and questions your company should evaluate before choosing a supplier. For example: What transmission standard does the supplier utilize? What advantages come with partnering with the supplier? How many companies and end-users have they served? What are their plans for future technological growth? And how much support can your company anticipate from this company? The list goes on. Nevertheless, let’s begin with the first question.
Methods of Communication
Understanding and identifying a mobile access control supplier’s chosen communication protocol can help your company narrow down a long list of potential partners. For instance, if your company already uses Z-Wave then you will want to find a company that uses the same communication protocol. This will make the integration process smoother for both companies. Although, if your company is looking to take an additional step toward incorporating other connected devices that can communicate with your upcoming mobile access control product, such as thermostats, video surveillance, and voice assistants, then considering a more ubiquitous transmission may be the way to go. Eifeh Strom from ASMAG, adds that “protocols such as BLE and Wi-Fi are the most common and have the advantage of being universally available, as they are part of every computer and smartphone,” making further integrations more applicable to mobile access control solutions using these protocols.
Gaining the Competitive Advantage
In addition to determining the most advantageous transmission protocol for your mobile access control product, companies should also examine their mobile key partner’s technology. Choosing a partner that maintains a unique mobile access control system can help distinguish your product from your competitor’s as well as deliver better experiences to your end-users. Moreover, in order to save your company a huge headache, you’ll want to question all potential partners’ ability to deliver a proven, scalable system. Creating a secure and seamless environment for your customers will hinge on your mobile access control product’s ability to uphold security and functionality, whether it’s for 1 or 1,000,000+ users. Another hallmark of a sophisticated mobile access control system is its adaptability to future technology. A system that is designed with extensibility in mind will be the one to help keep your mobile access control product future-proof.
Don’t get locked In
Finally, a significant indicator of a valuable mobile key partner is their ability to comply with partners’ and end-users’ needs. Jim Romeo of SDM Magazine states that another good way to identify the right mobile key supplier is by looking at their partner system. A sign of a solid access control supplier is when your “customers do not feel locked into a proprietary system that limits their options and means they’re stuck with greater expenditures to stick with the system and its unique maintenance.” In short, look for partners that will allow your end-users the freedom to choose their credentials. Something as simple as offering key cards as well as mobile keys can ease the transition from RFID/ Magstripe cards to mobile credentials for your company’s end-users.
Choosing the right mobile access control partner can be a difficult and overwhelming process. The above points are just a fraction of what companies need to consider. To better aid in your company’s search for the right partner and solution, visit unikey.com.
It’s hard to believe that since we posted this article a little over a year ago, there has been such a high level of advancement and change throughout the automotive industry. Tesla, which seemed to be at the forefront of the self-driving vehicle industry is now sharing the spotlight with car manufacturers like GM, Ford, and Volvo, which have taken strides into the future of automotives and even public transportation.
According to Ars Technica, companies like Alphabet’s Waymo and GM are leading the way in autonomous vehicle solutions by collaborating in a time when it’s a necessity for car manufacturers and software developers to team up and shape the future of transportation. For example, as far as autonomous public transportation goes, Lyft has teamed up with Ford to pave the way to the future of autonomous ride-hailing and sharing. Ford has intentions to build and deliver new innovations in commercial transportation with specific concentration on delivery services and ride-hailing patrons. Another example is GM. Since its acquisition in 2016 of Cruise, a San Francisco based autonomous vehicle developer, they have been working toward creating fleets of driverless vehicles. By the end of 2019, GM is expected to release its very own autonomous taxi-service, utilizing its proprietary, electric-powered Chevrolet Bolt.
But what about the experience and security behind these future driverless services?
In our previous article, “Connected Cars: Digital Keys in the Autonomous Era” we addressed the need for additional technology that will enhance the user experience as well as enable monetary benefits for consumers. In addition to automotive and AV software companies like Waymo, Ford, and GM, there will also be more unexpected companies like Facebook coming in to provide consumers with entertainment. The social media company has entered the automotive scene by sponsoring an initiative called “the new mobility world” which is meant to unite “carmakers, tech companies, and startups in areas such as autonomous driving and electric cars”. As we approach the more pivotal years for connected and autonomous cars, more tech companies like Facebook and their technology will bleed into the auto industry to offer AV consumers unique, in-car experiences.
Meanwhile, access control software developers will also make their way into the industry as someone or something will have to securely authorize, lock and unlock driverless ride-sharing vehicles. Moreover, once these vehicles have become the conventional means of transportation, car rental companies will also need a way for their customers to be authenticated and granted access to their cars. What’s more, autonomous delivery services will also be in need of a sophisticated credential to confidently authorize and authenticate the transfer of goods to consumers.
Altogether, there’s still a lot to be done until we see and experience driverless cars that are comparable to the ones in our favorite Sci-Fi movies. However, with all the collaborations, initiatives, and advancements in vehicle technology, the future of transportation looks promising and incredibly convenient.
Imagine a world where you don’t have to do the typical “phone, keys, wallet” check every time you walk out the door. A world where access to your home, car, and office is all simplified. Your phone is now your key. With UniKey’s one-of-a-kind mobile key platform, access control is taking on a new appearance, where security and convenience are no longer mutually exclusive.
It’s not every day your boss asks you to attend a trade show, let alone the NAHB’s International Builders Show. This being my first time attending a large industry conference, I had no idea what to expect from IBS. I originally pictured a large room full of sawdust, discussions on home improvement, and keynotes on “How to Properly Hang Drywall”. However, I could not have been more wrong.
My first stop at the show was in the west hall of the Orange County Convention Center. This section of the show was jaw-droppingly impressive. Upon stepping into the hall, I was met by a beautiful waterfall-like display from LP Building Co. Following this were some more incredible booths by the likes of Google Home and Nest, which looked as though they were uprooted straight from the company’s California HQ. They were the first in the home automation booths I was drawn to, but they certainly were not the last.
As I made my way through the packed hall, I noticed that many companies at the showcase were exhibiting products that allowed for automation, and/or remote management. Honeywell, for instance, featured their automated home solutions which contained their own connected camera, security systems, integrated smart locks, and of course a connected thermostat. Andersen Windows and Doors was also showcasing their own proprietary system, Andersen Connect. The system is a new connected window and door line that allows users to remotely lock and unlock their units as well as send virtual keys to family and friends for simplified access.
After making my way over to the other half of the show floor, I came upon Samsung’s booth, where a large group of people were huddled around a row of refrigerators. I had seen bits and pieces of what a smart refrigerator could do thanks to the show, Silicon Valley, however the features I saw on Samsung’s smart refrigerator, Family Hub, were still mind blowing. This intelligent appliance appeared to be exactly as its name suggested: the perfect hub for family-living. With Family Hub’s built-in display, users can entertain their loved ones and guests through the unit’s Spotify and TV mirroring apps. They can also enjoy the convenience of having the ability to order groceries through Instacart or GrubHub, while also being able to maintain a whole list of recipes for those perfect family meals.
Overall, I was really surprised to see that nearly all of the booths I walked past had some form of connected product or home automation tools on display. Even the toilets on display at the TOTO booth were self-cleaning after every flush! The fact that almost every company was dipping their toes in the waters of connected technology, tells me that simplification and automation are the keys to an ideal home experience. Not only that, but the concept of making the most simple home appliances smart, is sure to give homes those added hints of luxury and grandeur. If you didn’t get a chance to attend this year’s International Builders Show, I encourage you to check it out in 2019. At next year’s show, I anticipate the appearance of automated lawn mowers, multifunctional, color-changing walls, and a host of other smart, self-sustaining products.
Mandee Myers, UniKey Marketing Coordinator
CES 1967 was a show of many “firsts”. For the first time, consumer electronics companies finally had a unique event to showcase their latest products. The booths residing in the main halls of the introductory showcase were adorned with up and coming names like “Panasonic”, “Motorola”, “LG”, and “Philips”. Meanwhile, several new lines of television units, record players, and telephones were surrounded by fascinated showgoers; anticipating the products’ release dates.
CES: The Place to Be
Since the debut of the very first Consumer Electronics Showcase, several companies have selected the event as the one and only place to unveil their products. To name a few, CES 1967 was where Philips introduced the first mini-cassette. In 1970, the very first VCR was presented by Sony. And in 1981, CES showgoers witnessed JVC (and Sony’s) release of the very first camcorder as well as the first CD player developed by another Sony collaboration with Philips.
In the following years, inventions such as the Nintendo Electronics System, Tablets, and HDTVs were presented. Within a decade, CES became the platform for “anyone who was anyone” in the consumer electronics market to present their highly awaited products. It was the annual event where showgoers flocked to see the next big thing in electronics, and where companies like Sony, Atari, and Toshiba held a large share of the show’s spotlight. Yet, fast forward a few decades to 2018 and one can see who really owns the show.
Today’s CES
Whether you’re physically attending this year’s CES, or watching the show’s live stream, anyone who’s keeping an eye on the event will notice the path the show and its exhibited technology are taking. Over time, CES has transformed from being a huge marketing opportunity, to being a spectacle inundated with consumer inspired experiences. Take the above pictures for example. While being mindful of the very fact that technology wasn’t what it is today, we can still pinpoint the differences between CES then and CES today. In the very beginning, the showcase was all about the companies and what they had to show their audience members. Whereas today, it’s all about the audience members and the experience a product can offer them.
Power to the Consumer
Of course, to think that CES is all about the consumers would be a bit of an oversight. It’s still very much about the exhibitors. However, the focus has shifted significantly away from the companies in favor of focusing on the showgoers; the consumers. Whether it’s become an industry standard for companies to concentrate more on consumer UX, or whether it’s today’s technology enabling greater consumer interactions with products, the spotlight is now on the consumers.
Companies spend much more time developing experiences like the tunnel of OLED TVs by LG, pictured above. Through this unique display, audience members were able to see the vivid colors and the product’s compelling HDR graphics, while most likely visualizing how the TV would look in their own living rooms.
Creating the Experience
At this year’s CES, the panels, conferences, and keynotes will also reflect the show’s latest direction. With an entire conference track dedicated to it, UX and the “connected consumer” is rapidly becoming a hot topic and major focal point in the tech industry. As more tools and gadgets come online and begin to communicate with one another, electronics manufacturers are looking for ways to create a more fluid and interactive encounter between several devices and one consumer.
At UniKey, UX and the pursuit of seamless, connected experiences has been a tenant of ours since day one. We’re happy to see that as more technology becomes connected, and more applications come online, the rest of the tech industry is beginning to be heavily motivated by their consumers’ experiences. To learn more about UniKey and its pursuit of the ultimate, connected user experience visit unikey.com
For UniKey Technologies, 2017 has been a momentous year full of expansion and collaboration. With several products coming to life this year and nearly a dozen scheduled to launch in 2018, the company is rapidly delivering secure mobile access control solutions all over the world. Additionally, the company has not only seen great developments externally but internally as well. Since the beginning of the year, UniKey has filled key roles on the executive team to support further expansion plans next year.
For the original disruptors and creators of the mobile key market, the year has also been one of substantial growth across several key verticals, which will define the company and its success in the upcoming years. Upon the establishment of several strategic partnerships, the organization continues its expansion in the Commercial space while also focusing on opportunities in the Automotive industry. To expand on UniKey’s 2017 goals and successes and gather more insight into future endeavors, we sat down with Phil Dumas, Founder and CEO, and Lee Odess, COO.
Q1: What was UniKey’s biggest goal in 2017?
PHIL: Enabling as many major lock and access control companies to go mobile.
LEE: Continuing our expansion into the Commercial market and building the products we put under contract in 2016.
Q2: What motivated UniKey to develop a more open platform this year?
PHIL: There was great market demand for more open solutions. We also wanted to offer our partners more interoperability, which in turn can offer their users a more seamless at-door experience.
Q3: What do you see being the most significant access control trend in 2018?
LEE: Real mobile credentials and Bluetooth enabled readers built and supplied by (and for) the PACS OEMs.
Q4: What is UniKey going to focus on in 2018?
PHIL: 2018 will be very much like 2017, we’ll continue to focus on working with lock manufacturers and access control companies in order to replace the physical keychain with mobile solutions.
LEE: In 2018, we’ll also focus on delivering products all over the world, and continue to deepen our roots in Residential and Commercial and focus on the Automotive industry.
Q5: How will UniKey distinguish itself from its competitors in 2018?
PHIL: We will continue to partner with market-leading companies with exceptional manufacturing, branding, and distribution to proliferate mobile key technology to the masses.
UniKey is moving fast and making technological advances throughout all key verticals. With every partnership, the original producers of the mobile key are working to deliver a better at-door experience for all; improving the security and convenience of our homes, offices, and cars. In 2018, we expect to see some extraordinary smart security solutions that will bring progress to the physical security world. To learn more about UniKey Technologies, visit unikey.com.
Since the beginning, UniKey has been redefining the way the world accesses everything. What started out as a small team working tirelessly to deliver the world’s first residential smart lock has now grown into an organization of over 50 individuals dedicated to bringing all locks online. Today, we’re working with 17+ incredible partners worldwide, in several different verticals including residential, commercial, automotive, and beyond, with the end goal of bridging the physical and digital security worlds. To learn more about UniKey and our collective vision, check out the video below.
By Matt Dupree, Senior Mobile Developer at UniKey Tech
If you saw a toilet seat in a movie theater, you’d probably think to yourself, “Wait a minute. You don’t use that in here.
Many of us have a similar reaction when we think of using React Native at an IoT startup:
Wait a minute. React Native is fine for light-weight apps, but IoT companies need apps that make heavy use of the phone’s hardware, so don’t use it in this situation. Just don’t use that here.
My goal in this written version of my talk is to convince you that using React Native with hardware-intensive applications is not like using a toilet seat in a movie theater. Along the way, I’ll go over why we (at UniKey) adopted React Native, how we used it in our apps, the results we’ve achieved using it so far, and the trade-offs/challenges we’ve faced.
Why
I originally approached React Native a little over a year ago with loads of skepticism. I had heard all the horror stories of companies getting burned by first-generation cross-platform mobile dev tools, so I had a hostile view of cross-platform tools in general. React Native was no exception.
Eventually, I noticed that an increasing number of impressive companies had adopted React Native and this caught my eye:
My favorite app on this list is Skype. Microsoft owns Xamarin and they choose React Native for Skype. I think that speaks volumes.
With the increasingly impressive roster of these companies in the back of my mind, I stumbled upon an opportunity to do some pro-bono work for a charity. They needed an iOS and Android app, and I decided that React Native would be a good choice for building their app. It was a simple food pantry app with a form, and React Native did the job very well:
Fast forward 1 year, and we’re staring down the barrel of a pretty hairy deadline. UniKey partners with lock manufacturers to build smart lock products. We provide white-label apps, SDKs, and hardware reference designs so that partners can launch in months instead of years. Essentially, a core part of our value proposition is speed; making React Native a valuable framework. One of React Native’s core value propositions is to improve developer productivity by, among other things, sharing code between Android and iOS. The productivity gain is something we needed, but some folks were still skeptical of React Native in general and even I wanted to see proof of the React Native app working with our UniKey SDK before we struck out on this path.
I pitched my team on staying up all night to build a prototype React Native app with our SDK to prove that it was the way forward for hitting our deadline. They were down because they’re awesome and we built the thing in a night. That went a long way towards helping folks feel comfortable with the path we were taking.
How
So, that’s why we adopted React Native at UniKey.
Let’s talk about how we did it. Here’s a very basic diagram, you’ll find to the right, of the architecture for the apps:
At the top, we’ve got our UI code written in javascript with React Native. In the middle, we’ve got a bridge layer that mediates communication between the javascript layer and our UniKey SDK, which is the bottom layer in the diagram.
Results
Overall, we were very pleased with how things turned out. We were able to hit our deadline and our React Native apps work well. One of the things that I think allowed React Native to work so well for us is that the bread and butter of the experience of our apps don’t actually need to communicate with the React Native code at all. Our apps aim to allow you to access your home or office in a way that is more convenient than the key.
With our apps, you don’t even have to open the application in order to unlock the door. Because of this, our SDK does all the heavy-lifting with the hardware and doesn’t even need to talk to the React Native code in order to perform its most important function. In other words, there’s no performance penalty in using React Native for “passive entry” into a UniKey powered smart lock.
What’s really interesting about our work with React Native is that because we white-label apps and create SDKs, we can actually easily create fully-native and React Native apps and compare them side-by-side to see the results. The side-by-side comparison is impressive. You might even have a hard time telling which app is native and which is React Native.
Conclusion
So, there you have it: the how, why, and the results of our usage of React Native at UniKey. If you’re working on an IoT product, I hope I’ve convinced you that using React Native is more appropriate than using a toilet in a movie theater. To read Matt’s full post visit https://goo.gl/74ECDC.
Check out UniKey Technologies
For more information on UniKey Technologies, it’s projects, developers, and more visit unikey.com.
From its very inception, connected technology has been shaping our world into a more convenient and efficient place. The installation of smart sensors in traffic lights are anticipated to decrease congestion in highly populated areas. Connected healthcare devices are allowing hospitals and doctors to actively monitor patients from any remote location. In the case of industrial production, companies like AirBus have been utilizing connected tablets, glasses, and robotic tools to significantly speed up the production of their aircrafts. Across the globe, there are several examples of connected technology and its smart applications making our world a more efficient and convenient place to live in as the digital and physical aspects of our lives merge. In UniKey’s case, we’re using connected technology to change the way the world accesses everything, by replacing the entire keychain in a more convenient way than a key.
Residential
In the residential market, there’s still a lot of work to be done to improve the way people unlock their front doors. Leveraging cloud-powered, IoT applications, and Bluetooth Low Energy, UniKey is creating a whole new at-door experience where users only need their smartphone to unlock their front door. As the world begins to bring everything online, UniKey is creating the beginning and end to the experiences by the convergence of the digital and physical world. With unique integrations with connected devices and applications like IFTTT and Amazon Alexa, residential locks that are powered by UniKey’s mobile key platform can begin interactions and individualized events the moment users Touch-To-Open® their smart locks. Now imagine, this similar kind of technology in the automotive industry as users lock their front doors and continue the experience in their cars.
Automotive
The mobile key experience should not be something that begins and ends with the home. At UniKey, we visualize a world where cars can be accessed with the very same smartphone application that locks and unlocks your front door. Not only that, but with the momentous changes that autonomous technology is bringing to the automotive industry, cars should also be able to recognize and customize themselves according to their passengers. With ride-hailing services like Uber, Lyft, and GM’s Cruise looking to make their vehicles autonomous, the process of confirming that a passenger is who they say they are just got trickier. By using UniKey’s eKey technology and Inside/Outside intelligence™, ride-hailing applications can work with the digital key app to confirm the passenger’s identity. The vehicle can then adjust its settings (seat positions, temperature, and music) according to the rider’s historic preferences; similar to the adjustments a home will go through when UniKey powered locks or readers are triggered.
Commercial
Statistically speaking, the majority of us spend a considerable amount of time at work. This is why UniKey is bringing commercial buildings and offices the same kind of integrated, mobile key technology. Securing commercial buildings with UniKey powered readers won’t just provide a stronger access control solution, but also the potential for interoperability. This means that if a person goes from one office building where they have an authorized mobile credential, they may use this same app and credential to access other buildings with UniKey powered locks or readers. Of course, the user will need to be authorized to use their mobile key for other locations. Nonetheless, this makes credentialing more secure and efficient.
Merging the Digital and Physical Worlds
Almost every industry in the world is experiencing great changes and progress by utilizing technology that connects the digital and physical world. As advancements take place and more historically offline devices make their way online, we’ll be given the opportunity to simplify the more rigorous and time-stealing tasks in favor of smart and efficient solutions. To learn more about the opportunities for connecting the digital and physical worlds, visit unikey.com
