NFC Lock

Overview

This is a NFC-enabled smart lock designed to replace a standard deadbolt assembly.

The team of two will design and assemble an electronic, Arduino-powered drop-in deadbolt assembly that can be unlocked with registered NFC-enabled devices such as the Apple Watch, newer iPhones, or most Android phones. The lock will be powered by a Particle Photon chip running on an Arduino Uno board; the Photon will be web-enabled and NFC-enabled, allowing it to check NFC credentials and be operated remotely from a web app or mobile app.

A detailed user story indicating the flow of events that allow the lock to function:

• John Doe downloads the native iOS app for the smart lock
• John Doe signs in to his Lock account on the native app, linking his phone's credentials to his account
• John approaches the door with the phone, and the phone recognizes the NFC signal coming from the Photon
• The phone sends an encrypted HTTPS web request to the Photon's webhook API along with its unique credentials (UID or Serial No.)
• The Photon accepts the request, checks the data against its list of registered devices, and decides whether or not to open the deadbolt
• If the credentials are approved, the Photon will apply an electronic signal to the deadbolt servo, opening the door

[to weekly log]

Members

• Kai Banks
• Nikki Wines

Goals

• Use NFC-enabled device to unlock your deadbolt (assuming the device is registered & authorized)
• Secure, relatively hack-proof system
• Polished finished product (custom-designed 3d-printed enclosure, etc.)
• Backup unlock method (PIN, physical key, fingerprint reader, or similar)

Challenges

• First and foremost, security. All web requests MUST be encrypted & sent through HTTPS (as they may contain sensitive information, like phone UIDs and serials)
• Not biting off more than we can chew (see Goals section)
• Keeping budget under $150 for a pretty high-tech product
• Not using an unnecessarily large amount of battery during normal operation (minor)

Materials Needed

• Particle Photon (Arduino Uno with a Particle shield) - have
• Deadbolt - have
• Servo Motor to control Deadbolt - $15.00
• NFC Reader - $40
• Demo door assembly - $15

TOTAL: $70