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Revolutionary Shepherd Lock is the only solution to offer consumers comprehensive home security features and the convenience of fingerprint-free touch technology.

ANN ARBOR, Mich.–PassiveBolt, an innovative leader in smart lock technology, announced that it won a CES 2020 Innovation Award in the Smart Home category for its Shepherd Lock, a touch-enabled smart lock with enhanced security through sensors and Artificial Intelligence.

Shepherd Lock’s keyless entry technology allows users to lock and unlock their door inside and outside with a touch — no fingerprints needed. Shepherd Lock is an add-on that converts the existing lock-set into a touch-activated device, allowing homeowners to keep their existing lockset and keys.

Shepherd is the first and only product that uses a patent-pending combination of sensors and AI to actively monitor your lock 24/7. The smart home technology can detect lock picking or tampering attempts and automatically freeze the deadbolt into a locked position in response. Shepherd notifies the homeowner immediately through the secure mobile app. The app also allows homeowners to manage home access, view access history, share electronic keys, and remotely control the lock. To learn more, visit www.shepherdlock.com

“We are honored to be recognized for our innovation in this incredibly competitive category,” said Kabir Maiga, Co-Founder. “Shepherd Lock was designed with safety as a top priority. As such, it is more than just a smart lock; it is a home security product. Shepherd is the only solution in the industry to combine fingerprint-free touch technology, lock picking and tampering alerts, non-invasive installation, and Live Lock Monitoring 24/7 through AI, all in one smart lock.”

PassiveBolt joined the Ann Arbor SPARK Central Innovation Center in 2018. “This is a great example of how new companies can emerge from unexpected origins,” said Bill Mayer, Ann Arbor SPARK vice president of entrepreneurial services. “Coming from the automotive industry where they designed keyless entry systems for cars, the PassiveBolt team is a product of a robust and properly functioning entrepreneur ecosystem and exemplifies SPARK’s goal of retaining innovative talent in the region.”

As a client of Ann Arbor SPARK, PassiveBolt benefited from SPARK’s business accelerator grants supported by the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA). These grants helped cover the costs of legal services and internships, plus connected executive talent to the company through SPARK’s entrepreneur-in-resident program. As a result of the company’s rapid growth, PassiveBolt recently moved into a dedicated suite at the SPARK Central Innovation Center; Ann Arbor SPARK recently expanded available space for mature, growing startups, based on market demand.

About PassiveBolt

PassiveBolt is driving the adoption of smart access products by offering its technology direct-to-consumers with the Shepherd brand. PassiveBolt also offers white label solutions to businesses, such as home automation companies, security dealers, MDUs, builders, and other companies looking to commercialize their own branded smart access products, including cloud services. This approach allows PassiveBolt partners to resell their own branded smart locks while commanding higher margins, without the cost of in-house development. For more information visit www.passivebolt.com