Smart locks have brought significant convenience to daily life, allowing users to unlock their doors effortlessly with a smartphone tap or voice command, eliminating the need to carry physical keys. However, smart locks rely on various wireless technologies and ecosystem integrations. If any part of the system malfunctions, users may find themselves unexpectedly locked out.
The Customer’s Dilemma: No Issues in the Factory, But Consumers Report Problems
Smart locks combine traditional locking mechanisms with modern technology, replacing conventional keys with electronic access for enhanced convenience, security, and intelligence. The latest smart locks predominantly adopt the Matter standard—a universal smart home communication protocol that enables interoperability between different brands of smart devices. Among the various connectivity options, Wi-Fi and Thread are the most commonly integrated by manufacturers.
During production, wireless functionality tests are typically conducted in controlled environments with point-to-point verification. However, real-world use introduces various factors—such as building layouts, walls, distance, and interference from other wireless devices—that can lead to delays or failures in unlocking.
Case Study: A Smart Lock Manufacturer Faces Recurring Consumer Complaints
A well-known smart lock manufacturer consistently received customer complaints regarding product malfunctions. However, these issues could not be reproduced in their own laboratory or factory settings. Seeking a solution, the company turned to Allion Labs, which had helped them obtain their Matter certification.
Allion Labs’ Solution
Allion’s Matter consulting team quickly formulated a professional assessment plan, recommending the following validation tests:
Customized Testing Plan
- Wireless Performance Testing
- Compatibility Testing
- Functionality Testing
- User Scenario Simulation Testing
Real-World Testing Data
The manufacturer provided three different smart lock models. Allion’s Matter consulting team conducted wireless performance tests and obtained the following results.
Table 1: Distance vs. Unlocking Performance
Table 2: Wireless Congestion vs. Unlock Response Time
Data Analysis
The data indicates that increased wireless interference leads to longer unlocking response times. Imagine a household with multiple devices connected to the network while streaming videos—this typically results in wireless traffic between 60% and 80%. As seen in Table 2, Door Lock B performed the worst, while Door Lock A demonstrated the highest interference resistance, highlighting significant differences between the models.
Optimizing Product Quality for Better User Experience
After identifying Door Lock B’s design flaw in its wireless RF (radio frequency) performance, Allion’s wireless consulting team assisted the manufacturer in optimizing its performance within two weeks. This enhancement reduced future customer complaints and boosted consumer confidence in the brand’s product quality
Time to Market with Quality! Matter Product Consulting Services
Allion Labs is a CSA (Connectivity Standards Alliance) Authorized Testing Laboratory (ATL) for Matter certification. In addition to offering Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, and Thread standard certifications, Allion provides comprehensive wireless product testing, including protocol sniffers, RF equipment, and radio wave isolation chambers, to help manufacturers diagnose and resolve wireless performance issues.
Faster
As a CSA-authorized lab, we offer Matter certification, testing, technical consultation, compatibility testing, and customized validation services to accelerate your product’s development and verification process.
Easier
In addition to regulatory certifications, Allion has established the Smart Application Simulation Center (SASC), a facility that replicates real-world environments with smart devices and networks to perform user scenario validation. This is crucial for wireless products, as it ensures realistic user experience testing. We provide one-stop consulting services for seamless product validation.
Better
To guarantee cross-brand and cross-system compatibility, Allion continuously updates its inventory of wireless devices, routers, and mobile devices (including the latest iOS and Android models) to meet the evolving market demands. With extensive experience in user scenario testing, we are dedicated to delivering top-tier validation services for your smart home products.
For more information on Matter certification and other wireless technology validation services, please contact Allion Labs.