Startup - Smart Door Barricade

By: Brian Rhodes, Published on Nov 19, 2014

Barricade your door.

And control it via your phone.

Smartlocks are increasingly commonplace, but this startup is taking a different approach. Rather than replacing your existing lock, this company has developed a barricade that installs at the bottom of the door, aiming to improve security.

In this note, we dig into its features, its four main drawbacks and its market potetial.

********* **** ****.

*** ******* ** *** **** phone.

************* ************ ***********, *** this ******* ** ****** a ********* ********. ****** than ********* **** ******** lock, **** ******* *** developed * ********* **** installs ** *** ****** of *** ****, ****** to ******* ********.

** **** ****, ** dig **** *** ********, its **** **** ********* and *** **************.

[***************]

Product ********

*** ***** ***** ***** explains *** ********* *** function *******, ***** ****** **** ********* the **** ****** **** a *********** ******* ** the ***** **** ****** the *******:

*** *** ********** **** 'adds ********' ** * part ** *** **** body **** ** *** prevents *** **** **** swinging ****. ***** **** type ** **** ***** not ** ********** ** many ********** ********** ***** 'free ******' ** ******** by ****, *********** ***** do *** **** ***** those ********* ***** *** are ***** *** ***.

*******, *****'* ********* ********** that ****** ******** *** still ** *****, *** the ********* ** **** to '********' *** **** simply ** ******** ** it ** **** ** down.

Smartphone *******

*********** ***** ** **** via * ********** *** that ************ **** *** lock *** **** ** BLE, *** **** *** be **** *** * factory ****** *** ********* or *** ********.

*** ********* **** ***** to ******* ************* **** Nest *** ***** **** automation ******* ****, *** lists '********' ********** ****** *********** ********.

*****

***** ** ****** ***-******* orders *** $***. ******* issued **** **** $**. While *** **** ** designed ** **** ****** doors, *** ******* **** it *** ** ******* to ******* ****** ***** if ******* ******* ****.

*********

*************, ***** *** ******* design ************ ** ** not ****** **** ** fixable *** **** ****** doom ********** *** ** the *******:

******* *******: *** ******* ******* for ***** ** *** fact ** ******** *** battery *****. ***** *** unit ****** ** **** warn ***** *** ***** in ******* ** *******, the **** ******* ***** while ** * ****** position ** * ****. Users **** ** ****** to **** **/************ ******** the **** ** ***** should **** ***** ******* the ****.

********** ********: *** **** * device ** ******* ** the *****, ********** ** a *******. ***** ***** claims ***** ********** *** even******** **********, *** **** **** be ********* ** ****** walking **** ** *** any ****** ** *****, dirty, ** *** ******* being ******* **** **.  ********** ** ***** ******* hardware ** *********, *** even ************ ****** ***** duty **** ******** ********* ****** ********* **** *** **** be ******** ************, *** to ******* *** ******** difficulties ** * ******* housed ***** **** *********.

********** ****: ** ***** *******, most ********** ***** ***** **. *******, ** ***** parts ** *** ***** this *** *** ** the ****. ********* ** Europe ** **** **** non-standard ******** ** *** US *** **** ***** does *** ****.

*********** ************: * *********** *** some ***** ** ****** the *********** ** ***** Haven ** * ****, hard *******. ***** **** carpet ********** ** *** **** and ****** *********** *** **** ****** mounting:

"***** **** **** ** sit ****** ** * hard *******, ** ****, vinyl, ********, *******, ****, granite, ******** ** ***** are *** **********. ******** ** *******, ***** an ******* ** *** provided ******** **** * razor ***** ** *** cutter. ****** *** ****** carpet *** ******* ***********."

**** *** ***** **** hesitate ** ******* ******** to ********** *** **** and *** *** **** intrusive *******.

Continuing ******* ****** *********** 

***** ******** ************** ********** ********** **** ~$**,*** short ****'*$***,*** ****, *** *** company ***** ***** ** have *** **** ********* by ******** **** ******** ****.

***** **** ***** *** backers *** ******* ** shipping **** ***** ** the ****** ******* ****** the ******** ($*** ****), essentially ******* *** ******* has ***-**** $***,*** ***** of ******. *** ******* has ********** *** *** ********** pledge *****/******** ****** ***** ***** units ***** ********.

Non '***' ******** *********

*****'* ******* ** *** new. ******* ***** ** 'barricade *****' **** *** manually ******/******** **** **** available ***** *** ***-****'*.******* ********** ************ ~$**, ** ***** 10% ** *****'* $*** price. *******, ****** ********** versions ****** ** '********' from ******* *** *******, so **** ******* ** Haven's ********* **************.

Comments (12)

Undisclosed Distributor #1

11/21/14 05:19am

Good write up. Totally agree with your findings, especially battery life. I don't see them being around long.

Undisclosed #2

11/21/14 12:56pm

Brian - do you have any guesses about "what problem does this solve"?

I get that it's a form of door lock/barricade, but when would something like this be more practical or secure than a deadbolt or other locking mechanism?

Are there enough cases where current solutions to locking doors are impractical and warrant a device like this?

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 11/21/14 02:12pm

Maybe Brian has other thoughts as well, but the two claims I see from this and other door brace manufacturers are:

  • It can't be picked or bumped, unlike a deadbolt. Which is true, but it's not like there are roving gangs of criminals bumping and picking every lock in existance.
  • It provides more holding force. A deadbolt is only as strong as the door frame, and on a lot of houses (especially new construction) that means a 2x4. Exterior doors are generally fairly sturdy, solid wood or hollow steel, so blocking the entire bottom edge will (at least in theory) provide more holding force than the frame.

There's just something that seems...off about them. Like something will malfunction and I won't be able to open the door. I have trouble trusting that a product made by a failed Kickstarter will work when my house is filled with smoke and I'm trying to open the door and get out.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Ethan Ace | 11/21/14 02:17pm

"I have trouble trusting that a product made by a failed Kickstarter will work when my house is filled with smoke and I'm trying to open the door and get out."

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to John Honovich | 11/21/14 03:10pm

Now I am inspired to do a kickstarter for a fake dummy you throw at a window for emergency egress.

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 11/21/14 03:24pm

any guesses about "what problem does this solve"?

Like Ethan points out "lock bumping" invulnerability is the biggest one the developers point out.

Many residential doors are pretty flimsy. Firemen in my area carry a battering ram that opens just about every door by punching the extended deadbolts through the frame. Haven also claims it helps toughen resistance to kicking or battering ram forced entry.

However, I'm not sure Haven really improves much on that without introducing new issues. If your doors are crap, they still will be crap after Haven. Will Haven work correctly after a spring's worth of mud/ winter's worth of snowy footprints get dropped on it and gunk it up?

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Brian Rhodes | 11/21/14 04:34pm

Yes, but for $300 you can get a pretty good deadbolt and some door reinforcements.

Avatar

James Talmage

IPVMU Certified | 11/22/14 05:22pm

You not only need to worry about battery failure on the device, but also stolen/broken/dead-battery on your phone. If you put this on all your entry doors, it's going to be a really destructive re-entry process.

WiFi failure is an issue. Not many home users have a battery backup for their WiFi.

You need to have a mechanical override for at least one entry in to your home.

For those concerned with their residential deadbolt getting kicked in: I recommend this. Works great for saving the door frame after it's been kicked in as well.

Mario Fernandez

12/03/14 05:49pm

From my locksmith days:

Bumping resistance: Install high security locks which are impervious to bumping. (Medeco, Schlage Primus, etc)

Door kick resistance: Most “Constructor grade” deadbolt locks you see at home improvement centers have bolts that are either hollow or only the section which projects out of the door is solid or reinforced. Manufacturers do this in order for the lock to be able to accommodate the two common backsets in the market with only one bolt and make the lock install process DIY friendly. Unfortunately this makes the lock vulnerable to kick attacks. Make sure the bolt on the lock you choose is constructed in such a way that part of the reinforced section of the bolt remains inside the door when in the locked position thus providing a positive anchorage to the door. Most high security deadbolts are constructed this way. The screws on the faceplate are not enough. Also make sure you install a reinforced strike plate that does not rely on the door frame for support but instead, attaches or anchors to the structure behind the frame. Most pre-hung doors on the market have only a ¾” thick frame.

Yes most likely your local home improvement store will not offer these types of high security locks, but then again, Costco does not offer high performance video cameras either. Same principle applies I guess.

And remember, keys may not be as cool or sexy as having the door open with your iPhone but convenience and security sometimes don’t live under the same roof. What is convenient for you may also be convenient for the bad guys.

Cheers!

Avatar

Sagy Amit

12/03/14 08:20pm
Couple of notes: Back in my locksmith days in NYC there was a barricade concept similar called simply "the police lock". It was a metal bar with a fitting on the floor and a slide with a metal hoop on the door. The metal slide attached to a rim cylinder which allowed opening from outside. This was available from the 70s and on but never seen it outside of NYC 2. If stepping on the bar opens it, it is not pick/bump proof.. By nature, all residential doors have space at the bottom. If you fit a flat metal bar and slide it from the door edge in a 45 degree angle, the bar will fold down. Doors that have some give will be even easier to "bump" this way...

Mario Fernandez

12/03/14 09:40pm

Sagy, you are not that old LOL.

Avatar

Sagy Amit

12/04/14 08:16am

I'm very young Mario, but my locksmith days were 15 years ago. Besides, I always wanted to say "back in the good ol' days"..;)

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

HID Fingerprint Reader Tested on Oct 09, 2019
HID has released their first access reader to use Lumidigm optical sensors, that touts it 'works with anyone, anytime, anywhere'. We bought and...
Avigilon H5A Analytic Cameras Tested on Oct 07, 2019
Avigilon has released its H5A analytic cameras, claiming to "detect more objects with greater accuracy even in crowded scenes." We tested the...
'Bunker Busting' Wireless Access Startup: Sure-Fi Profile on Oct 03, 2019
An access startup is claiming its 'bunker busting' wireless Wiegand radios can punch through 'any obstruction'. We examine their offering,...
Fail Safe vs. Fail Secure Tutorial on Oct 02, 2019
Few terms carry greater importance in access control than 'fail safe' and 'fail secure'. Access control professionals must know how these...
Lasers Impact on Surveillance Cameras Tested on Sep 25, 2019
Hong Kong protests have brought global attention to video surveillance and the ongoing attempts of protesters to disable or undermine those cameras...
Startup XNOR.ai, Inventors of YOLO, Video Surveillance Plans Examined on Sep 24, 2019
YOLO is arguably the most discussed and hyped computer vision model today. The inventors of YOLO have a startup named XNOR.ai that aims to bring...
Directory of 69 Video Surveillance Startups on Sep 18, 2019
This directory provides a list of video surveillance startups to help you see and research what companies are new or not yet broadly known. 2019...
ASIS GSX 2019 Final Show Report on Sep 12, 2019
IPVM went to Chicago for ASIS GSX 2019, with many exhibitors disappointed about traffic and the exhibitor schedule changing next year. However,...
Assa Acquires LifeSafety Power on Sep 04, 2019
Assa Abloy is acquiring LifeSafety Power, adding to their growing collection of access control brands like Mercury, August, Pioneer Doors, and...
Mobile Access Control Guide on Aug 28, 2019
One of the biggest trends in access for the last few years has been the marriage of mobile phones and access cards. But how does this...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Axis HD Analog Encoder Tested on Oct 11, 2019
Two years after declaring "Everything is IP", Axis has released their first HD analog encoder, the P7304, with support for AHD, CVI, TVI, and SD...
Dahua Celebrates PRC 70th Wearing Communist Party Hammer and Sickle on Oct 11, 2019
Dahua celebrated the PRC's 70th anniversary with a video of various Dahua employees wearing China Communist Party hammer and sickle pins as shown...
Last Chance - Register Now - October 2019 IP Networking Course on Oct 10, 2019
Last Chance - Register Now - Fall 2019 IP Networking Course. The course starts next week. This is the only networking course designed...
Network Optix NxWitness 4.0 Tested on Oct 10, 2019
Network Optix released Nx Witness 4.0, proclaiming new features like a deep learning analytics metadata SDK, increased H.265 support, and UX...
HID Fingerprint Reader Tested on Oct 09, 2019
HID has released their first access reader to use Lumidigm optical sensors, that touts it 'works with anyone, anytime, anywhere'. We bought and...
ONVIF Suspends Dahua and Hikvision on Oct 09, 2019
Dahua and Hikvision have been 'suspended', and effectively expelled, from ONVIF, immediately following US sanctions being placed on the 2 mega...
Hikvision And Dahua Sanctioned For Human Rights Abuses on Oct 07, 2019
In a groundbreaking move that will have drastic consequences across the video surveillance market, Dahua and Hikvision have been sanctioned by the...
Avigilon H5A Analytic Cameras Tested on Oct 07, 2019
Avigilon has released its H5A analytic cameras, claiming to "detect more objects with greater accuracy even in crowded scenes." We tested the...
Crisis At China's Largest VMS Provider, Netposa, Now State-Controlled on Oct 07, 2019
NetPosa, which bills itself as the PRC's largest VMS provider, is in a crisis. The firm is pursuing huge unpaid bills from clients, and its...
Knightscope Sells Just 1 Net New Robot In 6 Months on Oct 04, 2019
For the first half of 2019, US government records show that Knightscope has sold just 1 net new robots ('machines-in-network'), inching up from 52...

What IPVM Is

The world's leading authority on video surveillance, with 200,000+ visits monthly.

  • Articles on cameras, video analytics, VMS, and trends
  • Tests showing actual performance and problems
  • Courses in surveillance, access control, etc
  • Camera Calculator for designing systems

Dedicated To Independence

We're dedicated to staying independent and objective. We're the only industry source to refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship, and consulting from manufacturers. Why?