Smart locks are what they sound like on the tin: conventional security measures in pad- or bolt-form that require passcodes, wireless input or even fingerprints to open them. One or two iterations of this concept have taken some criticism in the past for functional failures. However, this category has bounced back and now represents a thriving industry in which brands such as Yale and August are heavy hitters.
This may be due to positive points such as freedom from loseable or elusive keys, particularly when returning home after a long day. However, their products do have a potential drawback: the user may have to remove all or part of their existing lock in order to secure whichever door they want. A techy home-owner would be free to do this kind of DIY all they want, but a tenant or short-term lodger may not have the same license. This issue moved Eric Yi to set up his company, Gimdow, in order to sell his new type of smart lock that addresses such problems.
Accordingly, this new product - the Gimdow A1 - has been designed to convert an existing lock into one with smart secure features. It has the option of a peel-and-stick backing, with what Gimdow claims is the "strongest removable adhesive"; alternatively, it can be screwed into place. It is apparently compatible with most typical door-locks (fission or conjoined) found in the EU or US, whereas some name-brand analogs may work with only one or the other.