SureKey is a smart key that promises to make life easier by tracking every movement of your key. The company claims that almost 30% of people forget whether of not they locked their door. This is especially true if you have a family with multiple key holders. It is always difficult to remember who locked the key. The automation of our everyday activities creates a short term memory problem, leading to uneasy feeling of not remembering whether your home is securely locked. SureKey hopes to solve this problem by providing an add-on solution to turn your existing key into a smart key.
How it works
The SureKey is designed to be an extension of your existing key as it functions as an add-on for your key. It is important to note that your old key still functions the exact same way as before, SureKey just tracks the movement of your key. Once it is setup, Surekey utilizes a microelectromechanical sensor (MEMS), which allows the SureKey to track every three dimensional movement of the key with the use of gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer. The MEMS sensor wakes up and analyzes the movement once the key is inserted in the door lock.
SureKey claims that, “No random motion can precisely repeat a key rotation in a lock, so there is no risk of an incorrect status.”
When you want to check if you locked the door, you just need to check the status LED on the device, which indicates locked or unlocked. 
Setup Process:
- Purchase you SureKey
- Remove the security sticker and put your key inside the hole with glue (included)
- Wait for 10 minutes for the glue to set
- Insert the coin sized CR2016 battery and close your door from outside.
Eight Key Features of the SureKey Device
Notifications for Locked/Unlocked Door: The Surekey provides you with LED notification on the device when you lock and unlock your door. Surekey doesn’t require a smartphone for operation.
Fits any Key: As SureKey is an add-on for your existing key, it is designed to fit 99% of keys on the market. The maximum key head size is 1.22 x 1.22 x 0.18in (W x L x H).
Key Finder: The SureKey has a feature called auto key finder, which allows you to find your keys by generating a sound periodically.
Key left in Door warning: The SureKey will also notify you if you left the key in door by playing a sound. You can also setup notification when key is left on the inside of the door after you have unlocked it.
Offline and standalone: The SureKey touts that you can not be tracked or hacked by anyone else because the SureKey is not connected to internet or a smartphone.
Clean and Minimal Design: SureKey is designed to be an extension of your key rather than a separate, unattractive, and bulky device. The SureKey device is finished with soft touch material and it is physically small and slim.
Replaceable battery: The SureKey system comes with a replaceable battery that will last for upto 5 years due to the low-energy technology utilized by the system. The SureKey system will send you a notification for replacing your battery.
Multiple Door Support: SureKey is also going to offer a version of the device that supports 3 doors. The device will have LED indicator for 3 doors, which is useful if you use a single key (master key) to lock or unlock three doors or single key for two locks in the same door. However, you will have to pay 3x as much for this version of SureKey.
Technical Details
- ABS Housing and LED windows
- Flexible PCB
- Low power processor
- Piezoelectric Buzzer
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- E-compass
- RGB LEDs
- CR2016 Alkaline Battery
Smart Lock vs Smart Key
The alternative to a smart key is to purchase a Smart Lock system, which is currently available on the market from many different companies. The smart lock system does provide the same features that are offered by a smart key solution. However, there are a few things to consider before you decide on a smart lock over a smart key.
First of all, most of the smart lock systems are quite expensive. There have been recent reports that the smart lock system can be hacked, which can grant someone access to your home. The installation of some smart lock systems requires the use of tools and skills. As the smart lock systems work with your smartphone, you will have to change your habits as you will now need your smartphone with you when you want to exit or enter your home. The smart lock battery also lasts for shorter amount of time compared to smart key. Finally, with a smart lock, you will still need your physical key if you don’t have your smartphone with you or if the battery is low.
The Smart Key system also has some disadvantages that you should be aware of. Firstly, SureKey system does not provide real time information about the status of your lock, it only provides notification about whether you used your key to lock your door. Secondly, if you have camera system that can be accessed remotely by your smartphone, you can not grant access to your kids or relatives. Lastly, the SureKey system uses glue to attach to your existing key, so you will not be able to remove the key from the SureKey system very easily. SureKey claims that you can remove the key from the case with appropriate force and technique.
Pricing and Availability
SureKey is currently fundraising for product on Kickstarter. The project was launched on 28 August 2018, and it has been 100% funded with $13,768 raised by almost 200 backers (pledged of $10,000 goal).
The device is mass production ready. Thanks to the simple and reliable design, we can make it really affordable and deliver it soon. – SureKey
The project aims to receive FCC/CE certification by September 2018, followed by Factory Setup, Tooling and Mass Production in November 2018. The first batch of SureKey is expected to ship in December 2018.
If you are someone who constantly has trouble remembering if the door was locked or not, then SureKey offers the perfect solution at an affordable price. You just need to look at the SureKey to know if your door was locked. It’s easy, affordable, and safer than smart locks.
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Source: SureKey Kickstarter
I am officially a tech addict and enjoy providing my views on matters related to this industry. I am always interested in trying out new tech gadgets and I have owned multiple smartphones including the legendary HTC One, SGS2, Nexus 4, iPhone 4, 5S, 6S, XR, Note 9. You can ask me any tech related questions in the comment section or on twitter @hookedNav