GoKawiilRing unveils its first smart lock with hand-crank backup power
Ring has announced its debut smart lock, which includes a built-in supercapacitor that users can recharge manually via a small crank. A few turns of the crank provide about 20 seconds of power, enough to unlock the door if the battery has died or been removed entirely. Ring CEO Jamie Siminoff demonstrated the device, which also features a backlit touchscreen keypad.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Dead batteries have long been a key weakness of smart locks, often forcing reliance on physical keys as backup, which Siminoff reportedly called 'medieval' in its simplicity. By building in a mechanical recharge option, Ring appears to be positioning its product to solve a common frustration without requiring spare batteries, power banks, or keys, which could make smart locks more appealing to cautious buyers.
- Ring's first smart lock uses a hand-crank supercapacitor for emergency power.
- A few crank turns provide about 20 seconds of operation, even with no battery installed.
- The design aims to eliminate reliance on physical keys or external battery backups.
Ring Smart Lock — Ring's first smart lock solves the classic dead-battery lockout problem with a clever hand-crank supercapacitor backup, so you're never stuck outside. It pairs a backlit touchscreen keypad with the security and app integration Ring is known for, making it a smart upgrade for anyone building out a connected home entry system.
See Ring Smart Lock on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — David Watsky, 2026-10-07
Published there as: “Ring’s First-Ever Smart Lock Fixes the Worst Thing About Them: A Dead Battery”
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