A friend of mine recently bought a new car. To unlock the doors, she just walks up to the car with her key tag and it automatically unlocks when she is close enough. Mesh Motion Inc., is using this same idea to turn your iPhone into a key for a high-tech bike lock.
The BitLock is touted as the world's first keyless bike lock. It can be used for individual purposes or for community bike sharing.
To use BitLock, you simply walk up to your bike, and when you are close enough BitLock automatically connects to your phone. You don't even need to take your phone out of your pocket or bag for it to work. Press the button on BitLock to open it. Press the button again to close the lock and walk away.
Your phone's GPS can be used to locate your bike with the BitLock app. You'll never forget where you left your bike and, if you're sharing, you can let your friends know where it's parked. You can manage access to the bike through the BitLock app, set access time, and specify a drop-off region on a map for others who you let borrow your bike.
Another cool feature of the future app is the ability for you to map your ride. It gives you statistics on how far you've pedaled, how long you've ridden, and your average speed. It's very Strava-like in that it also shows you elevation gained and calories burned.
For those who bike for environmental reasons, the app shows the total amount of CO2 you've saved by riding instead of driving.
If you're like me and have spent a pretty penny on pedal power, it's nice to know that BitLock is made of reinforced, heat-treated, and cut-resistance steel.
The company also claims to rely on the same security protocols used in online banking systems. The encryption is based on open and published standards. Whether you're facing a computer hacker or someone wielding a hacksaw, no one is getting away with your bike.
Bitlock is now in a time crunch on Kickstarter. The campaign has until Thursday, Nov. 14, at noon EST to come up with another $2,000 before it can be funded. You can pledge any amount. Seventy-nine bucks gets you the BitLock and a nifty T-shirt.