Ring launches smart lock with hand crank for dead batteries

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 7 Oct, 15:08 · Archive

Amazon's Ring has announced its first smart lock, which can be hand-cranked to generate power when the battery dies.

Amazon-owned Ring has announced its first smart lock, addressing a common concern that deters people from adopting smart locks: the fear of being locked out when the battery dies. The device features a hand crank dial on the front that generates power when needed. Turning the dial several times—sources differ on whether it takes three to four turns or five to eight—generates enough power to run the lock for 30 seconds, long enough to use the fingerprint reader, keypad, or Ring app to unlock the door.

Ring founder Jamie Siminoff developed the lock after struggling to find a suitable smart lock for a vacation home that would be used infrequently. He was concerned the battery would die and leave family or friends unable to access the house. The hand crank mechanism uses a small motor and supercapacitor to generate around three volts of power on demand.

The Ring Smart Lock will launch in the United States in early 2027 for $249 and will be available in black, silver, and brass finishes. It features multiple unlocking options including a fingerprint reader and a backlit touchscreen keypad that allows users to set temporary access codes and schedule access for multiple users. The lock can also be controlled via the Ring mobile app or through Alexa-compatible devices.

The lock uses Ring's replaceable Quick Release Ultra Battery Pack, which Siminoff says will last about a year on a single charge. Instead of relying on home Wi-Fi, the device connects wirelessly using Amazon's low-power Sidewalk network. This ensures remote access and alerts about who enters the home even if Wi-Fi is unavailable. The launch is pending FCC approval.

How it is being reported

• Ring’s first smart lock can be charged by turning a dial when the battery unexpectedly diesAmazon announced its first smart lock that eliminates the need for a physical backup key should its rechargeable battery die while you're away from home. While other smart locks lean on hidden USB ports or metal contacts for connecting a 9-volt battery to replenish a dead battery, the new Ring Smart Lock incorporates a more […]The Verge · 7 Oct, 15:00
• Ring's smart lock has a hand crank so it works even if the power's outRing's smart lock has a built-in hand crank to generate power when the batteries are dead.Engadget · 7 Oct, 15:00
• Ring’s first smart lock can be hand-cranked when its battery diesAmazon-owned Ring is entering the smart lock market with a device designed to tackle a common concern: getting locked out when the battery diesTechCrunch · 7 Oct, 15:00
• Ring's new Smart Lock lets you crank your way back insideRing is expanding its product line with a new Smart Lock in early 2027, and founder Jamie Siminoff spoke with TechRadar about how it solves the "dead battery" problem and how AI helped with its development.TechRadar · 7 Oct, 15:00

In this story: Ring · Amazon · Jamie Siminoff · United States

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