Google Wallet is adding support for Aliro, a standard designed to revolutionise smart locks and digital access.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), the folks behind the Matter smart home standard, unveiled Aliro in November 2023. Aliro is described by the CSA as a communication protocol that reduces “the complexity of partner integrations and acts as an arbiter for certification of interoperability for mobile devices and access card readers.”
The CSA, which boasts over 675 global tech companies among its membership, is dedicated to creating open IoT standards. Aliro is among the organisation’s latest efforts to promote universal open standards that simplify interoperability between various devices.
“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,” explains Connectivity Standards Alliance President and CEO 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.”
Aliro: A smart locks standard with principles
When Aliro was initially announced, the CSA detailed its support for Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth Low-Energy (LE), and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technologies. The standard is built upon four core principles:
- Simplicity: Aliro aims to lower the barrier to implementation by reducing complexity for integration and streamlining troubleshooting. This simplification benefits system owners and installers, making it easier to select the right hardware and software and to manage access control systems.
- Flexibility: The standard supports various installations and architectures, providing convenient access to both common and individual entry points. The Aliro communication protocol is designed to support a wide range of transmission technologies, ensuring compatibility across different access control scenarios.
- Security: Aliro provides a foundation for implementing state-of-the-art secured and trusted mobile access solutions. The standard incorporates asymmetric cryptography and credential data to enhance security.
- Interoperability: A key goal of Aliro is to ensure that manufacturer-independent devices and readers can seamlessly work together. By fostering interoperability, Aliro seeks to eliminate barriers to innovation and adoption, ultimately speeding up the use of mobile devices as digital keys.
Aliro has garnered significant support from major industry players, including Allegion, Apple, ASSA ABLOY, Google, Infineon, Kastle Systems, Last Lock, NXP Semiconductors, Qualcomm, Samsung, and STMicroelectronics.
The integration of Aliro into Google Wallet, announced with version 25.11 of Play services, means that Android phone and Wear OS users will soon be able to use their devices to unlock Aliro-compatible access readers via NFC.
However, it’s important to note that the widespread use of Aliro is dependent on the availability of certified locks and access readers. It may take some time for consumers to fully utilise this new technology, particularly if it primarily supports new hardware.
Aliro is the result of a major collaborative effort
The development of Aliro has been a collaborative effort, with nearly 200 Alliance member companies contributing time and resources since its inception in 2022.
“This collaboration aims to raise the bar for an interoperable, consistent, secured, and streamlined mobile access experience at the door or place of entry,” said Lisa Corte, Aliro Working Group Marketing Chair and VP of Strategic Alliances at ASSA ABLOY.
“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.”
Aliro has the potential to transform how we access a variety of locations, including homes, offices, hotels, hospitals, and universities. By providing an interoperable, simple, and secure standard for smart locks, Aliro is paving the way for a future where mobile devices truly are the key to everything.
(Image credit: CSA)
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