That Sound You Hear Is My Room Key
The hotel tech community has been waiting eagerly for several years now for the inevitable day when electronic key cards become obsolete and mobile devices take over as the room access key of choice.
A technology known as Near-Field Communication, or NFC, was thought to hold the key to unlocking the future of mobile locking systems—and it still might. Oversimplified, NFC would enable guests to receive an encrypted message on their mobile devices, and the device would then send a signal to the locking system to unlock the door, enabling guests to skip the check-in process.
However, slower-than-expected emergence of NFC-equipped consumer devices will probably keep NFC locking systems firmly deadbolted for another five years or more.
Nevertheless, it’s looking like guests could be using cell phones to unlock guestroom doors as soon as next year.
A Paris-based firm called OpenWays has created a system based on "Crypto Accoustic Credentials" to bypass the need for NFC. Basically, a computer generates a unique series of tones (it sounds kind of like those digitized cell phone ringtones circa 2002) that is then sent to the mobile device. When the tone is played outside the designated guestroom, a microphone integrated with the locking system identifies the tone and unlocks the door.
Crucially, it works regardless of network, carrier, handset model or data plan. Whether you have an Apple iPhone, a Motorola Droid, a Nokia 2600 or whatever else, as long as it can receive phone calls, it is compatible.
Like so many technological innovations, it’s a brilliantly simple concept, and it’s hard to believe it hasn’t already been thought up and implemented. It soon will be in use, as OpenWays has already signed vendor partnerships with Saflok and at least one other major locking system manufacturer. It will be pilot-tested at several major Las Vegas casinos next year, according to OpenWays CEO Pascal Metivier.
This technology is very exciting, but it is not without a few major question marks.
First and foremost: Since the accoustic key requires WiFi or a data network to access it, what about hotels with poor network reception in the hallways? Metivier is quick with a retort: "If you don’t have a network, you have another problem—a guest who can’t use their cell phone is a guest who won’t come back." That assertion aside, the company is working on an iPhone app that would enable users to store the tone in advance, without needing network to recall it.
And what about those guests who don’t own or travel with a mobile device? Metivier says not to worry—the OpenWays system would merely augment existing locking systems. It’s simply another option. "We’re not replacing the key cards," he says. "The key card reader remains."
Pascal commented:
Dear JMP,
you are absolutly right.
The OpenWays solution comes in addition the normal key card openings. it can handle multiple guests in the same room. Finally, if your phone is dead you simply get a key card at the front desk like today.
Best regards
Pascal
Pascal commented:
Dear Julia,
The OpenWays solution does not requires to use the loudspeaker but simply the normal speaker of your phone. In other word, the sound is no louder than when hear someone talking to you in the phone.
Best regards
Pascal
YNot commented:
I think what travelers want are options. If a guest likes going to the Front Desk to check-in, it sounds like they still have that option. But if they'd prefer to go straight to their room, then it sounds like that would be a great option for a hotel to provide. And it sounds like they can use their phone if they want, or they can continue to use plastic cards if they prefer those. It's all about the options. And if the NFC providers keep dragging their heels, why not take a look at other technology options like this? From their website, it sounds like they've addressed the "thief concerns" with encryption, so it's not as easy as simply recording the tones and playing them back. And it doesn't sound like the sounds are loud enough to head from the room next door. So, I don't know about you, but I say "Why not?" If guests don't like it, then they won't use it, and it will die out. But why not let the guests decide instead of the hoteliers? I think this is going to be an exciting decade for travellers. Lots of innovation. Lots of options.
Adam Kirby commented:
Cav: I too share your concern about elimination of jobs. Ideally, hotels would shift redundant staff into other positions, improving service in other areas and providing a better overall guest experience. But technology has been making jobs obsolete for centuries--as they say, there is no stopping progress.
As for security issues related to this technology... only time will tell, I suppose
Cav commented:
It seems to me this sort of works like the u-scans at grocery stores. This is eliminating a job position (the front desk) and causing more security issues and leap holes for theifs to get through. There have been enough jobs eliminated by technology the past few years. I am not sure this is a good thing for hospitality properties to adopt.
Doubting Thomas commented:
How does this prevent thieves from recording the ringtones on other devices when people open their rooms and then comeback later to steal your belongings??? I wont be using this technology until proven.
Julia commented:
JMP commented:
KChotelgirl commented:
