Do you have a pocket full of swipe cards, keys, pin numbers and remotes? Just so you can get in and out of your own house, or work place?
Well that could all change as a result of a kiwi inventor, who has just won an international award for his clever device.
The technology which enables cellphones to unlock doors and open gates has won an award at the international security industry's major annual design and innovation event.
Auckland-based company ECKey won the United States-based Security Industry Association's Access Control award against international competition from multinational security organisations at the ISC West convention in Las Vegas earlier this month.
ECKey chief executive Nick Willis said the award for ECKey's EK4 device recognises the world class innovation that New Zealand companies can produce.
"We have been able to the lead the market in the convergence of consumer electronics with security systems, says Willis.
"Winning the award will be a tremendous boost for the company, not just in such a big market as the United States but throughout the international marketplace. Our product is also a finalist at the upcoming IFSec 2009, the leading European Security awards which is being held in Birmingham, UK in May."
Dr Willis said the EK4 turns cellphones into a key to unlock doors, gates, garages, disarm alarms using Bluetooth. When the owner walks up to the door, it will unlock or open automatically without the press of a button.
"Everything we carry in our pockets and handbag - whether it is our diary, wallet, address book, music, camera, emails - is all ending up on our phones. Now with this technology, keys, swipe cards, and remote controls can be replaced with the Bluetooth phone most people already have."
ECKey is selling products its products over twenty different countries through the security industry and is in discussions to integrate this technology with several international companies.
ECKey was formed in 2005 in Auckland by Dr Willis as a Bluetooth design and development company. The company is backed by a number of investors including Sparkbox, Steven Tindall, Sam Morgan, the NZ Venture investment Fund and Ice Angels. It has also received support and grants from NZTE and FRST.
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