TRAVELOCK:The Ultimate Thieves Dream?

[edy]

Oh god, a master lock! Oh hell no that's even worse! "Rugged" as a house of cards...

Now that was a funny video!

[b_force]

In fact, you are probably better buying 3-4 U-Locks with the same money... at least it will add more time and be more obvious someone is stealing your bike, in case it is a public area somebody may at least notice and stop them. And if the whole point of this is not to require keys, then get several COMBINATION locks with chains/cables if needed. Either way they would require heavier tools to cut than this FIPILOCK garbage toy:

Even in the Netherlands these aren't safe. 
Any decent bolt cutter would make that a 2 minute job no problem.
This one has two locks, which is already good.
Never just put only a lock on your front wheel.
They just unscrew the front wheel and gone is your bike.

The suggested kickstarter lock is not even a joke anymore.
Looking at it already opens it basically.

[Bud]

Cant the thief just take the saddle and ruin your day just for fun

[schmitt trigger]

Exactly!
Many moons ago, I friend of mine had a detachable faceplate automotive CD player/radio combo.

One day my friend returned to find both front seats slashed. Mind you, these were leather, heated, power seats.
It would have been cheaper to allow them to steal the radio.

[maggieyang0807]

The lock is operated by independent AI!!!!!!!

First, what is that?
Second, why is it not operated by a sensor and a controller?

Also, who out there in the world takes 60s to undo a standard padlock? Takes me around 2-3s. Who are these people who need a minute to do that?

Totally agree.

[james_s]

"Smart" locks are a solution looking for a problem. It's a Rube Goldberg contraption in place of a simple, inexpensive and effective technology that has been around for centuries. I would bet that I could consistently unlock a padlock with a key at least as quickly as any kind of smart lock could be unlocked, and I would bet a significant sum that the conventional padlock would be far more reliable in the long run. I have padlocks that have been out in the weather for ~20 years that still work perfectly.

[PlainName]

consistently unlock a padlock with a key

How many locks do you have? Do you walk around everywhere with a key for each of 'em? Do you label them so you know which of the many identical ones fit each lock or do you start counting seconds when it's found and actually in the lock?

Personally, I've managed to get down to three keys I carry around (and would prefer fewer) but the missus has so many she needs a handbag to carry them (at least, I assume that's what the bags for).

Mind, the way I reduce the number I have to carry is by leaving ones I won't use behind, and then tramping back to get it because I did want it after all. Kind of the same thing with credit cards - I much prefer just carrying the phone (which I'll use for other things so will have with me anyway) than half a dozen cards in a wallet that's either going to be nicked or make me look like I have lopsided tits when I put it in the jacket pocket.

Sure, this particular implementation of a smart lock isn't high security, but I think you're wrong to write off the principal. You'd be surprised at what people will give up for a simpler life too.

[james_s]

Only a few, I think I have two keys on my keyring for locks like that, amongst about 10 keys, and another keyring with keys to my cars. At the cabin we have 3 or 4 combination locks, those take a bit longer to open than one with a key but I don't have to carry keys for those around. An electronic lock would be useless there, the battery would very likely be dead every time nobody goes there for a few months. It's not as if padlock keys are heavy or bulky and if you have a lot of locks you can get locks that all use the same key like I have on the coin doors of my arcade machines.

Anyway if I want to open it frequently I use a lock with a key, if I want to be able to open it without carrying a key, or tell somebody else the code to get in, I use a combination lock. The advantages of simplicity and reliability these have over some kind of silly overpriced electronic lock far outweigh any convenience of being able to use a thumb print or whatever. I expect a lock to just work, whether I last touched it 5 minutes ago or 5 years ago. Whether it has been outside in sub-freezing weather or baking for hours a day in the hot summer sun. If I have to plug the thing in to charge it occasionally, or muck with firmware or apps or anything like that it's a non-starter.

[Cyberdragon]

Here's another joke that's gotten media attention claiming to be an "innovator". It solves one problem by providing a key backup but it's probably not a secure key (easy pickings...literally) and it looks to be PLASTIC so you could probably just kick it off. https://benjilock.com

[cdev]

Many of the older U-locks can be opened with the back end of an old "Bic" ball point pen. So I dumped mine and now I use a really thick cable lock which is also much easier to fit around both wheels and whatever I am anchoring it to. The cable is wrapped in a lot of plastic and huge. It would be a major PITA for a thief to cut through.

My bike is also old and worthless looking.

[james_s]

My bike is also old and worthless looking.

That's my primary security method too. In combination with a cheap basic lock I've never had any issues.