I Waited 7 Years for a ZERO Battery Smart Lock - Alfred Smart Lock + Wi Charge

Quick Overview

The Alfred Smart Lock, when paired with the Wi-Charge Wireless Power Kit, offers a truly battery-free experience for the smart lock itself, continuously charging its internal battery via infrared power beaming, though the entire system is quite expensive and the smart lock already boasts a long battery life.

Key Points: The Alfred DB2S-KEY-BL smart lock offers five unlock methods: timer, mobile app, pin codes, RFID cards, and traditional keys. Its connectivity options include Bluetooth, and optional WiFi, Zigbee, or Z-Wave via accessories. The Wi-Charge Wireless Power Kit, priced between $499 and $799 USD, enables continuous wireless charging of the smart lock's internal battery. The Wi-Charge system uses a focused infrared beam (100mW or 300mW from 5-10m) and includes human skin detection for safety. Despite the wireless charging, the smart lock still requires an internal battery or supercapacitor to operate during power interruptions. Installation of the smart lock and the wireless power kit presented challenges due to non-standard door hole sizes and the need for precise alignment. The Alfred app allows for remote control, setting temporary or recurring PIN codes, and configuring features like one-touch unlock and auto-relock.

Context: Linus Sebastian, a tech enthusiast, has long awaited a truly battery-free smart lock solution. His interest was piqued seven years prior by Wi-Charge's innovative wireless power beaming technology, which demonstrated the ability to wirelessly power devices like phones and even a moving train, while also incorporating safety features like human skin detection. This video explores whether the Alfred Smart Lock, combined with Wi-Charge's latest accessory, finally delivers on the promise of a maintenance-free smart home security solution.

Detailed Analysis

The video reviews the Alfred DB2S-KEY-BL smart home touchscreen deadbolt and its integration with the Wi-Charge Wireless Power Kit, aiming for a "zero battery" smart lock experience. The Alfred lock itself is feature-rich, supporting five different unlock methods including a timer, mobile app, touch-sensitive pin codes, RFID chips, and traditional keys. It also offers flexible connectivity via Bluetooth, with optional WiFi, Zigbee, or Z-Wave through additional modules. The primary focus, however, is the Wi-Charge accessory, which utilizes infrared power beaming to continuously charge the lock's internal battery. This technology, first showcased by Linus Tech Tips seven years ago, delivers 100mW or 300mW from 5-10 meters away and includes a safety feature that cuts power if human skin is detected in the beam. Despite the wireless charging, the lock still requires a small rechargeable lithium-ion battery to ensure operation during power interruptions. The Wi-Charge conversion kit and transmitter are priced between $499 and $799 USD, in addition to the lock's cost. Installation proved challenging due to the need to modify the lock's faceplate and the door's existing holes to accommodate the new components and wiring. The Alfred app provides comprehensive control, allowing users to create recurring or temporary PIN codes, manage RFID cards, and enable features like one-touch unlock and auto-relock. While the wireless charging functionality works, Linus notes the high cost and the fact that the Alfred lock's standard battery already lasts about a year, questioning the practical necessity of such an expensive upgrade for this particular device, though he remains optimistic about the broader potential of Wi-Charge technology for other IoT devices.