IoT smart locks for real estate

IoT real estate access with Linough

ABOUT

Allow clients to visit real estate properties without physical keys

Linough was created to revolutionize the real estate industry through innovation and technology. Everyone lives their life through real estate properties throughout the day, and so by revolutionizing real estate by making it easier and smarter, Linough is revolutionizing our lives.

Linough developed its smartlock to offer unmanned room touring and previewing.

Users can access a real estate listing without borrowing a key or needing assistance from a realtor on site. All rooms can be unlocked by the user’s smartphone.

Soracom is an ideal application for Smart Viewing and pay-as-you-go for data communication fit our needs perfectly. I also like the flexibility of the contract where I can subscribe to one SIM for one day. When an IoT system encounters an issue, it can be difficult to identify the cause between the cloud, the connection, and the device. In our case, we can check the communication status of each individual SIM with SORACOM’s user console. I also appreciate their kind and courteous support team, seminars and hands-ons demos.

Mr.Shiina Linough Chief Web Programmer

CHALLENGE

A connected key for simplified real estate viewings

Potential customers for real estate now enjoy almost instant access online to every available listing, but there is still no virtual substitute for a physical viewing. In a busy market with a large number of properties for sale or lease, coordinating a site visit with sales staff or agents can be the biggest barrier to completing a deal.

With real estate portals offering “frictionless” access to listings, availability of buyers and sellers and coordination of viewing schedules between multiple interested parties now represents the most significant opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce the time between listing and closing.

SOLUTION

Smart lock with online key and reservation system

To address this challenge, Mitsubishi Estate decided to introduce “Smart Viewing” provided by Linough Inc. This “Smart Viewing” system takes advantage of a smart lock that can be attached to the door of any new or existing property, combined with a tablet type gateway to control the lock.

Customers who wish to view an apartment can reserve their viewing time online via computer or smartphone. Once the time is reserved, they receive a URL which sends an open/close signal to the smart lock.

At the time of their appointment, they can access the property using the URL-based “key” to open and close the door. The system even works on feature phones, which can trigger open and close commands using voice.

WHY SORACOM

Optimal pay-as-you-go model for data transmission

Mobile communication is prime for setting up “smart viewing” in places where internet infrastructure is limited and properties are vacant for limited periods.

The signal that triggers the opening and closing of the key requires just a few kilobytes of data every 30 to 60 minutes, plus an occasional “keep-alive” transmission signal.This lightweight communication was a natural fit for pay-as-you-go connectivity, so Linough decided to use SORACOM Air for specialized mobile communication IoT applications.

“Soracom is an ideal application for Smart viewing and pay-as-you-go for data communication fit our needs perfectly. I also like the flexibility of the contract where I can subscribe to one SIM for one day. When an IoT system encounters an issue, it can be difficult to identify the cause between the cloud, the connection, and the device. In our case, we can check the communication status of each individual SIM with SORACOM’s user console. I also appreciate their kind and courteous support team, seminars and hands-ons demos.” – Linough Chief Web Programmer Mr.Shiina

Linough is working to automate the start and pause of SIM communication using SORACOM APIs. In cases where more security is required, they are also implementing SORACOM Canal to build private networks.

 

FUTURE PLANS

Time management in any space can be smart

“Smart viewing” was awarded the Good Design Award after being evaluated for its innovative design and concept. Linough has been receiving an increasing number of customer inquiries such as “Can you apply the same system for other applications?” They have already launched the “smart meeting room” service and will expand their service to make every space management in the world more efficient.