To build any electronic device, you have to understand intimately how it’s made. That’s why we’re starting a series of posts that take a look into how popular consumer electronics are put together.

When it comes to electronic locks, the three most popular types are:

There are several differences between these devices. Some locks require installing additional hardware on the external part of the door, in some cases a deadbolt has to be replaced, etc.

Goji

Goji is unique because it has Wi-Fi connectivity integrated with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy — low range wireless technology) and NFC and doesn’t have to rely on an external BLE — Wi-Fi bridge. This doesn’t make it automatically better though, since Wi-Fi significantly reduces battery life.

Lockitron

The original version of Lockitron contained a Wi-Fi system in it. To save power, the Wi-Fi only turned on when you knocked on the door, but this system proved too unreliable a system and was scrapped.

August

August is the simplest of the three (along with Okeydokeys). It has an existing lock mechanism interface and so doesn’t require the lock mechanism to be added.