Sony has re-entered the crowd-funding game with a smart lock designed to change the way we open doors.
The device, called Qrio, comes in the form of a piece of door furniture and lets people use their smartphones to open doors, according to Gizmodo. Users will also be able to share encrypted keys with those they trust through messaging apps.
The effort is the latest fundraising campaign Sony has started, following the crowd-funding effort for the electronic paper watch E-Ink FES that was created so the tech giant could see what people thought of the watch.
Qrio is being developed with the World Innovation Lab and is being billed as the "world's smallest" device of its kind, Engadget reported. Once the lock clips over the door's current furniture, the battery will stay in place as long as a plate is stuck to the door. Sony said the battery, which includes four CR123A cells, will allow the device to run for 1,000 days straight on a single charge.
The campaign for the Qrio Smart Lock has started on Makuake, Japan's version of Kickstarter. The funding goal has been met, but potential backers can show their support by getting Sony's new high-tech gadget for an early bird deal of 15,000 yen ($130).
