The Connectivity Standards Alliance Announces a Matter-Style Standard for Smart Locks: Aliro

The Connectivity Standards Alliance, best known for being behind the cross-vendor Matter Internet of Things (IoT) standard, is turning its focus to smart locks with Aliro — and has already signed up one of the largest lock makers around, ASSA ABLOY.

"As we've seen with the introduction of Matter, it’s been proven that global collaboration around a shared mission along open standards is the best way to achieve broader adoption of new technology," claims CSA president and chief executive officer Tobin Richardson. "The Alliance and its members are now using that same model to unlock the potential of digital access experience, with the creation of a new standard and credential that makes adoption easier for mobile device and access control reader companies."

Dubbed Aliro, the new standard takes the form of a communication protocol and common credential which will apply to any certified device — doing for smart locks what Matter did for smart appliances. The CSA's approach, the group claims, focuses on four key — no pun intended — principles: simplicity with a lower barrier to implementation; flexibility, with support for range of installations; security, self-explanatory; and, of course, interoperability, with all Aliro devices working in harmony.

Technical details of Aliro, which is a work-in-progress standard, have not yet been released outside of CSA member companies, though the group has confirmed it will include support for Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Near-Field Communication (NFC) systems, but the group has already signed up some big names: Apple, Qualcomm, Samsung, and STMicroelectronics are named on the electronics side, alongside lockmakers including ASSA ABLOY.

"This collaboration aims to raise the bar for an interoperable, consistent, secured, and streamlined mobile access experience at the door or place of entry," claims ASSA ABLOY's Lisa Corte. "With a team of industry leaders, thousands of engineering hours, and broad support from diverse member companies, our goal is to make a big impact when it comes to transforming the way people unlock openings using their smartphones and wearables. I applaud this group for the ongoing effort and collaboration as we develop the Aliro specification."

More information on Aliro is available on the CSA website.