RFID locks: Why so long to come to the market?

[Richie Rich]

Since this thread is revived, I'll throw my 2 cents in.

For most people, the Kwikset lock on their door isn't that secure anyway. I don't see how an RFID is any less secure. Probably more so, actually, as you need no mechanical interface exposed outside of the door you are trying to keep shut!

I was going to build some RFID circuits for my house and link up the PIC chip or PLC to the rest of the house. That way, all the lights and aircon can be turned off when I leave, or I can get an alert if I left a window open.

The main advantage for me is that I could issue a very cheap RFID card or tag on a keychain and have it expire after, say, 2 weeks for guests staying at my beach house. They are also waterproof, so any kiteboarders staying would be able to just slip it inside their wetsuit and not worry about damage or leaving a key on the beach. I may even hook up my 1967 beetle ignition to an RFID reader! Only reason not to is because I love the keys!

[spoonzor]

RFID readers are actually very cheap.

For me the biggest downside is: they use electricity.

That means, if the electricity is cut off, the door can't be opened (or can't be closed depending on setting).
So you might want to use a battery instead, but that means you have to change batteries once in awhile and that sucks. Battery access has to be on the outside and that is a weakness on itself... So in the end it will always have an oldschool bypass (mechanical) lock and that means you still need to carry that key around.

Often because of the focus on electronics the bypass lock will be pretty weak and you end up with a lock that can be hacked by IT nerds AND lock pickers.