Xiaomi has unveiled a new smart lock that not only eliminates the need for keys, but also gives you 10 alternative ways to open your front door – including AI facial recognition. Facial recognition makes a lot of sense in a smart lock, as it allows children and people with limited mobility to open the door without having to enter a passcode, reach a fingerprint sensor, or carry a phone or smartwatch (though these are all alternative options).
The lock projects dots of light (invisible to the naked eye) onto your face to capture details and draw a unique map. Once this is done, you can open the door without touching it. 3D Live Anti-Spoofing prevents would-be burglars from tricking the system with a photo, and facial recognition is disabled for 15 seconds after the door is closed to avoid it being accidentally triggered when you look back.
The Xiaomi Smart Door Lock 2 Pro also features a camera that captures color images even in low light and offers black-and-white infrared night vision after dark. Not only can it detect and identify visitors (without being triggered by animals), but you can also see who’s at the door with live footage on your phone or via an LED indicator on the inside of the lock.
Like the best video doorbells, the Smart Door Lock 2 Pro features a wide-angle lens that gives you a 160-degree view of the person calling, which you can access anywhere via the Mi Home app.
Knock, knock
If you prefer to be hands-on, the Smart Door Lock 2 Pro also features fingerprint recognition, which creates a more complete picture of your fingertip each time you use it, making it more reliable over time. Other options for opening the door include:
- password
- Temporary password
- NFC door card
- Xiaomi phone
- Xiaomi SmartWatch
- Xiaomi Smart Bracelet
- Bluetooth device
- Emergency key
The lock body contains several tamper detection sensors and will send you an alert if it detects a break-in attempt. The load-bearing parts are made of manganese plates for additional strength. The locking mechanism is designed to be particularly quiet.
As Notebookcheck explains, the Smart Door Lock 2 Pro is available for pre-order now for 2,299 yuan (about $320 / £250 / AU$480), but official international pricing and release dates have yet to be announced.
If you don’t like the idea of facial recognition on your front door, you’ll find plenty of options without this feature in our roundup of the best smart door locks.
