Schlage Set to Launch Sense Pro Smart Deadbolt Featuring Ultra Wideband and Apple Home Integration

The Evolution of Hands-Free Access and Apple Home Key

The core appeal of the Schlage Sense Pro lies in its support for Apple Home Key, a feature that allows users to store a digital version of their house key in the Apple Wallet app. While existing Home Key locks allow for a "tap-to-unlock" experience—similar to using Apple Pay at a grocery store—the addition of UWB enables a truly hands-free experience.

In a traditional setup, even with a digital key, a user might still need to pull their phone out of their pocket or contort their wrist to bring their Apple Watch near the reader. The Sense Pro’s UWB implementation aims to make this manual interaction unnecessary. As the user approaches the door, the lock and the mobile device engage in a secure, high-speed exchange of data. If the system determines the user is intending to enter, the deadbolt retracts automatically.

This "intent-based" unlocking is a significant security upgrade over older geofencing methods. Geofencing typically relies on GPS data, which can be imprecise and may trigger an unlock command while the user is still several yards away or even parking their car. By focusing on the final few feet of the approach through UWB, Schlage ensures that the door remains locked until the authorized user is physically standing at the threshold.

Standards and Future-Proofing: Matter over Thread and Aliro

Beyond its specialized integration with the Apple ecosystem, Schlage has designed the Sense Pro to be a versatile and future-proof centerpiece for any modern smart home. The device supports Matter over Thread, the industry-unifying communication standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung.

Thread is a low-power, wireless mesh networking protocol that provides faster response times and better reliability than traditional Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Because it is a mesh network, Thread devices can talk to each other to extend the range and stability of the smart home network. By utilizing Matter over Thread, the Schlage Sense Pro ensures that it can operate within a wide variety of smart home configurations while maintaining the high-speed communication necessary for UWB features.

Furthermore, Schlage has confirmed that the Sense Pro is compatible with Aliro. Aliro is a new communication standard developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA)—the same organization behind Matter—specifically focused on harmonizing the way mobile devices and wearables interact with access control readers and locks. By adhering to Aliro, Schlage is positioning the Sense Pro to remain compatible with future mobile operating systems and hardware iterations, ensuring that the lock remains a functional part of the home for years to come.