The device from the Czech Republic can be used to secure a wide variety of objects.
When traveling with an expensive e-bike, we often worry that it will not be stolen on the way. There are already bicycle locks with smart functions such as alarms, or various trackers for permanent installation. If you want to secure different objects, a versatile device such as the Pealock lock is ideal.
The Czech company Pealock developed an intelligent lock for a variety of sports equipment. Although the lock has a rather small design, it protects skis, bicycles, e-bikes, snowboards, skates, scooters and much more.
Pealock is connected to a mobile app so that you can always keep an overview of the devices to be protected. Through Kickstarter, Pealock has raised funds to finally be able to realize his revolutionary lock and was also able to win a Red Dot Award 2020.
The idea of an intelligent lock for sports equipment suddenly arose when Marek Valu, the driving force behind Pealock, was unexpectedly relieved of his brand-new Atomic skis worth EUR 800 on the slopes. When reporting the incident to his insurance company, it turned out that the theft was not covered by them. The reason? His skis weren’t locked.
„It turned out we weren’t the only ones – four pairs of skis were stolen at the same time. We thought that thanks to our special sports equipment insurance there would be no such loss, but since the skis weren’t locked we didn’t get a single penny from the insurance. I couldn’t believe it. After all, you’d never leave your phone unattended like a new pair of skis, would you? With skis, however, this is usually the case“, describes in detail the origin of the idea for a lock especially suitable for sports equipment.
Marek Vala
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Official figures confirm what Marek experienced. In 2017 in Austria alone, skiing equipment worth around 16 million euros was stolen. In 2018, over 96,000 bicycles were stolen in the UK and those are only a fraction of the number abroad. In 2019, 155,000 insured bicycles were stolen in Germany alone. The damage was around 110 million euros, as reported by the Association of the German Insurance Industry. In addition, the price of equipment increases rapidly every year.
Compact lightweight
Carrying around a bulky and heavy lock to secure your belongings is hardly an alternative for athletes and in everyday life. This is exactly where Pealock comes in, because thanks to its compact size and low weight of only 140 grams, the Smart-Lock can be quickly stowed in a backpack or even in a jacket pocket.
The functionality is as simple as it makes sense: Pealock is attached to the object to be protected and connected to the smartphone via an app. If someone tries to break the lock, a notification is sent to the smartphone. In addition, a 110 dB loud alarm sounds that discourages thief.
A large number of integrated technologies ensure theft protection. In addition to the alarm system, the Pealock housing contains a motion sensor, GSM and Bluetooth 5 modules for connecting to the app and receiving notifications, an LED display for the lock status and NFC for locking the lock.
Either your own smartphone with an NFC chip is used to open and close, or a special NFC card from Pealock can be used.
Robust and smart
The IP33-certified lock is also equipped with a strap made of extremely hard-wearing thermoplastic elastomer, with which it can be attached to a wide variety of objects. Inside this band, next to a steel wire, there is a cable that triggers the alarm if you try to crack it.
The app not only notifies you of an attempted theft, but also provides insight into the battery status of the lock and enables the management and setup of several pealocks. Speaking of batteries: The integrated rechargeable battery offers an average of approx. 60 hours of running time, depending on its use and ambient temperature, before it has to be recharged using a micro-USB cable. The battery level can also be viewed in the app, and the user receives a notification when the charge level is low.
Technical specifications Pealock:
- Dimensions (case): 7.1 x 8.9 x 3.9 cm, strap length: 35 cm
- Weight: 140 grams
- Technology: Bluetooth 5.0 (range 230 meters), GSM, NFC
- Sensors: three-axis
Accelerometer, temperature sensor - Battery: 1800 mAh (up to 60 hours runtime in active mode)
- Connections: micro USB for charging
- LED: green (unlocked), red (locked)
- Integrated alarm: 110 dB
- Weather resistance: IP33
- Operating temperature: -20 ° C to 65 ° C
- Apps: iOS, Android
- Available in the colors: green, pink, black
Pealock is from March 2021 Available in green, pink and black for an RRP of 169 euros. A limited edition of the locks will be available from February 2021 and can be used for 129 Euro on the manufacturer’s website can be pre-ordered.
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