How iLOQ’s battery-free technology is redefining smart access
Smart access has promised convenience for years, but it has often come with a hidden cost: batteries. In many smart locking systems, batteries are the biggest reliability risk and the largest ongoing maintenance burden. They also create a sustainability issue that grows with every door installed. At iLOQ, our battery-free approach removes that weak point entirely by generating energy only at the moment access is needed.
At the core of iLOQ’s battery-free technology is energy harvesting. Instead of storing power inside the lock, our systems create the energy required to operate during unlocking. This happens in two ways: through our digital key that looks like a traditional key, and through NFC-enabled digital credentials such as a smartphone or our key fob.
In systems using iLOQ’s digital key that has a traditional key appearance, the key itself contains the digital access rights. When a user inserts and turns the key, that physical action generates kinetic energy. Our lock converts this movement into enough power to activate its electronics, verify the digital access rights, and open the door. There is no standby power consumption and no gradual loss of energy over time. The lock remains inactive until it is used, and the act of unlocking provides all the power required for secure access.
In iLOQ’s digital systems using NFC, the same principle applies. When a user presents an NFC-enabled smartphone or our key fob, a small amount of energy is transferred wirelessly to the lock. This energy powers the authentication process in real time. The lock does not store energy internally and does not rely on batteries or external wiring. Intelligence is present, but it only comes into operation at the exact moment access is requested.
Removing batteries is a breakthrough for reliability. Batteries degrade silently, are affected by temperature, and often fail without warning. In residential buildings, commercial properties, or critical infrastructure, a depleted battery can result in denied access and urgent maintenance visits. With iLOQ’s battery-free locks, this entire category of failure is removed. If the credential is valid, the lock operates as intended.
The sustainability impact is equally important. Battery powered smart locks require continuous battery replacement throughout the lifetime of a building. This involves manufacturing, transporting, installing, and disposing of large numbers of batteries, as well as repeated service visits. By eliminating batteries, we significantly reduce waste, lower maintenance-related emissions, and support long-term, low-impact smart living solutions.
This approach also changes how smart access systems scale. Property owners and system administrators can manage access digitally without planning for battery replacement schedules or reactive maintenance. The physical locking infrastructure remains simple and durable, while access rights can evolve as buildings and users change.
iLOQ’s battery-free technology shows that smart access does not need more components to be intelligent. By harvesting kinetic and NFC energy at the point of use, we deliver smart locking that is reliable, sustainable, and designed for real-world, large-scale deployment.
If you would like to learn more about iLOQ’s battery-free technology and how it can help you maximize security while minimizing lifecycle costs, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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