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Ring has announced a Smart Lock with a hand crank that can generate temporary power if the lock’s battery runs out. The company says a few turns provide about 30 seconds of operation; the $249 lock is planned for the first few months of 2027, with an exact release date unconfirmed.
Ring has announced a Smart Lock with a built-in hand crank that can generate enough power to operate the lock briefly if its battery runs out. The planned $249 device is expected in the first few months of 2027, giving users a backup that does not depend on a spare battery, cable or external power source.
The crank is a small wheel on the front of the lock. According to the report by The Ambient, turning it back and forth three or four times generates electricity for about 30 seconds of operation. That window is intended to let someone unlock the door using the fingerprint reader, keypad, Ring app or Alexa.
Inside the device, a small motor and supercapacitor store and supply the generated power. The report says a few firm turns produce around three volts, allowing the lock to operate normally for that short period rather than switching to a limited low-power mode. Ring says the lock’s built-in battery should last up to a year on one charge.
The lock is designed around a single-cylinder deadbolt and does not require additional wiring. It is planned in Black, Silver and Brass. Ring has not confirmed a precise release date, though the current window is the first few months of 2027. Interest can already be registered, according to the report.
A Backup Beyond Batteries
The hand crank addresses a practical concern with connected locks: a depleted battery can make a device that is convenient in everyday use difficult to rely on at the door. Ring’s proposed solution gives users a way to supply temporary power without another charged device, potentially easing concerns about being locked out.
The feature may be especially relevant for properties that are visited infrequently. Ring founder Jamie Siminoff cited remote cabins as one possible use, where a lock may sit unused for long periods and a cable or replacement battery may not be close at hand. That is a possible use case, not evidence yet of how the crank will perform in real-world conditions.
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Ring’s Plan for the Lock
The hand crank is intended as an emergency measure, not the lock’s normal power source. Ring says its built-in battery can last up to a year per charge, so most users would not regularly need to generate power manually. The crank is meant to bridge the gap when the battery has run out and a user needs a short opportunity to unlock the door.
The lock was among several hardware products Ring is preparing, according to The Ambient. The report also lists four planned 4K cameras and a Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam 2K. The lock’s self-generated backup power is a distinct feature in that lineup, focused on reducing a specific concern about relying on a smart lock instead of a traditional key.
“Concern about losing access when a smart lock runs out of power can put people off buying one.”
— Jamie Siminoff, Ring founder, as reported by The Ambient
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Release and Performance Details
Ring has not provided a precise launch date; the reported window is the first few months of 2027. The available report also does not specify how the lock behaves if the crank is difficult to turn, whether repeated use affects the mechanism, or whether the stated 30 seconds will vary with conditions.
The battery-life and crank-operation figures are Ring’s stated specifications as conveyed in the report, not results from independent testing. Further details about installation, compatibility, warranty, and availability by market were not included. It is also not clear whether the product will ship with any additional physical key or other backup entry method.
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Details Ahead of 2027 Launch
Ring’s next expected step is to provide more product and availability information before the planned early-2027 release window. The company has not confirmed a day or month, though Siminoff reportedly hopes to bring it out closer to January than March.
Before deciding whether the crank changes the case for a connected lock, buyers will need confirmed details on launch availability, installation and supported access methods, as well as independent testing of battery life and emergency operation. For now, the company’s announcement describes a planned product and its intended backup feature, rather than a lock already on sale.
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Key Questions
How does Ring’s hand-crank lock work?
The report says the user turns a small wheel on the lock three or four times. A motor and supercapacitor convert and store the generated electricity, providing about 30 seconds of operation, according to the stated specifications.
What can users do during the brief power window?
Ring’s planned lock is intended to allow access through its fingerprint reader, keypad, app or Alexa during the temporary power window. The report does not describe other entry options.
How much will the Ring Smart Lock cost?
The reported planned price is $249. Ring has not confirmed a precise release date, and the report does not provide market-by-market pricing or availability.
When is the smart lock expected to launch?
The current reported window is the first few months of 2027. No specific date has been announced; Siminoff reportedly hopes for a launch closer to January than March.
How long is the lock’s battery expected to last?
Ring says the built-in battery should last up to a year on a single charge. That is the company’s estimate, and independent testing results were not included in the report.
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