Introduction
iLOQ, founded in 2003 in Finland, is redefining access management by transforming the smartphone into a secure digital key and a wireless power source. Operating in over 55 countries, iLOQ delivers a seamless and sustainable battery‑free ecosystem — combining the iLOQ App, energy‑harvesting locks, and cloud services. By merging high‑security IoT with radical sustainability, iLOQ advances circular‑economy principles across the built environment.
Beyond batteries and brass
Traditional access management has long struggled to balance security, efficiency, and sustainability. As the industry shifted toward digital solutions, new limitations emerged that highlighted the need for a more modern, reliable, and environmentally responsible approach.
Manual inefficiency
Traditional access management relied on physical keys and manual workflows, resulting in major inefficiencies.
Security vulnerability
Physical keys created significant security vulnerabilities due to loss, duplication, and lack of traceability.
Battery dependency
Early smart locks attempted modernization but introduced a new critical pain point: heavy dependence on batteries and cabling.
High maintenance
Battery‑ and wiring‑based systems led to high maintenance efforts and ongoing operational costs.
Environmental impact
Frequent battery replacements and electronic waste contributed to environmental impact and toxic waste issues.
Reliability issues
Reliability problems emerged due to power dependency, reducing trust in first‑generation smart lock solutions.
Beyond batteries and brass
iLOQ's technology is truly one‑of‑a‑kind: no other competitor in the world offers a fully passive smart lock that works without batteries, wiring, or built‑in power. iLOQ locks harvest the tiny amount of energy they need directly from the smartphone that opens them — making the phone both the digital key and the temporary power source. This patented approach sets iLOQ apart globally and makes its solution uniquely reliable, sustainable, and maintenance‑free.
No batteries, cables or WiFi
iLOQ locks need no batteries, electricity or internet connection, resulting in lowered operational costs and ensuring environmental sustainability.
Convenient for the end-user
The iLOQ app interface lets users access doors quickly and effortlessly. Its intuitive design minimizes steps and ensures smooth, hassle‑free everyday use.
Responsibility as a core driver
The strategy treats digital transformation and environmental responsibility as synonymous. By removing batteries, iLOQ aligns with global green initiatives.
Smart access
Use a smart key or your smartphone as both a key and a power source (through NFC). All key logistics are managed online, remotely and in real time with iLOQ's user-friendly software.
Easy retrofit, no maintenance
iLOQ cylinders fit right into existing doors. No need for drilling; all installation points retain their fire and security compliance.
Cloud-based management
Real-time control over the whole property and its access points with iLOQ's user-friendly software running on a dedicated penetration-tested cloud.
A smarter, more sustainable future
Best user experience
Use a smart key or your smartphone as a key and a power source. iLOQ's app offers powerful additional functionality to optimize access and maximize your user experience.
Battery-free locks
No batteries, electricity source or internet connection are needed. Fast installation and no maintenance costs. Reliable operation even in a power outage.
Smooth business operations
Developer tools, API and SDK, allow building integrations that eliminate bottlenecks, provide better customer experiences and reduce costs.
Administration
Intuitive interfaces for day-to-day operations – sharing access to the right people at the right time.
The iLOQ App features & roadmap
The iLOQ App is the user's gateway to the battery-free world, designed to be both a powerful management tool and an effortless key. iLOQ offers two types of mobile key applications. In this entry, we are introducing the latest version, the iLOQ App, which is currently in use in the US market. Since the app is not yet available in European app stores, we are presenting its features through screenshots.
Accessibility by design
- Cognitive & physical ease: For users with motor impairments, the "tap-to-open" experience removes the struggle of turning physical keys.
- Guided interaction: The NFC locator provides visual cues that guide users to correct alignment, regardless of technical proficiency.
- Bridging the digital divide: Recognizing that not everyone uses a smartphone, we offer alternative rechargeable NFC fobs, ensuring that elderly residents or those without modern devices have equal, secure access.
- Inclusive accessibility: The iLOQ App meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards, featuring high contrast, screen reader support, and tactile feedback (the lock clicks open).
Current iLOQ App features
- Smartphone-as-key & power: The app uses NFC technology to power the lock and verify access rights in one touch.
- Access sharing: Enabling residents to send "phone keys" over the air to visitors or contractors directly through the app.
- Background scanning & instant access: On Android, the app supports background scanning, allowing users to unlock doors by simply bringing their phone near the lock without even opening the application.
- Home-screen widget: On iOS, provides instant access to digital keys without needing to open the app, saving time in daily routines.
- Dynamic on-screen NFC locator: This feature tackles a major industry hurdle: the inconsistent NFC antenna placement across thousands of smartphone models. To ensure a foolproof experience, we maintain a device-specific database that displays a precise visual guide tailored to the user's exact phone model. By showing exactly where to align the device, we transform a trial-and-error process into a fast, guaranteed unlock, proving our commitment to frictionless accessibility.
- Remote unlocking: Enabling remote access for online doors, allowing users to grant entry for deliveries or guests even when they are not physically present.
Coming later
- Real-time access logs: Providing users and administrators with a transparent history of access events, significantly enhancing security oversight.
- Open integration: Through APIs and SDKs, iLOQ ensures its hardware innovation integrates seamlessly into any modern digital ecosystem, from property management to healthcare scheduling.
Design process
The iLOQ ecosystem is the result of an extensive, design-led development process to ensure global empathy and technical excellence.
Empathy & Insight
The team conducted on-site observations and interviews with customers and partners worldwide to understand deep-seated pain points like "lost key anxiety" or the logistical friction of physical key handovers.
We mapped diverse user journeys for multiple personas, including residents juggling groceries and maintenance workers in remote sub-zero sites.
Focus & Strategy
Research insights led to defining a mission of "Making Life Accessible," focusing on inclusivity and removing the maintenance burden for all stakeholders.
Technical requirements were defined to ensure the system works reliably in extreme conditions, such as pouring rain, snow, or power outages.
Iterative co-creation
Real users tested prototypes of both the app and the hardware in global workshops and pilot programs.
This iterative feedback led to critical refinements that bridge the gap between digital intent and physical action.
Implementation & Accessibility
User-Centric Execution: The app avoids technical jargon, using plain labels and clear status indicators.
Global Scalability: The hardware is designed for easy retrofitting, fitting standard doors in minutes without special wiring, ensuring the solution can be deployed rapidly worldwide.
Active co-creation with users and stakeholders worldwide
iLOQ's development process is built on active co‑creation with users and stakeholders worldwide, involving on‑site observations, interviews, workshops, and iterative prototype testing across diverse markets and user groups.
Designing for diverse segments: Understanding users and contexts
iLOQ operates across several distinct market segments:
- Residential
- Critical infrastructure
- Public and commercial properties
Each segment brings its own specific needs: residential customers prioritize ease of use, modern living services, and streamlined access management, while critical infrastructure customers emphasize reliability, security, and remote or automated operations across sites.
These differing requirements introduce significant complexity into the design process, as the product and service experience must remain coherent while supporting varied workflows and expectations. While the application development has focused primarily on meeting the needs of the Residential segment, the solution has also been crafted to accommodate the needs of Utility and other segments, ensuring broad applicability across the iLOQ ecosystem.
At iLOQ, we have strategically implemented Customer Journey Management tailored to our core segments. By mapping out distinct customer paths, we ensure that our battery-free access management solutions meet the specific needs and contexts of different users.
Residential: We focus on the ease of living, creating seamless journeys for residents that move from initial key handovers to daily effortless access and simple digital sharing of access rights.
Critical Infrastructure: The journey is built around high security and operational efficiency, ensuring that technicians have the right access to remote sites at the right time, even in harsh conditions.
Commercial Properties: We optimize the lifecycle of the building by managing complex access needs for diverse tenant groups, focusing on flexibility and the reduction of maintenance costs through cloud-based management.
Beyond the lock: iLOQ's holistic strategy for a sustainable future
iLOQ takes a holistic 360° approach to sustainability. This means looking at all environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors, not only in the company's own daily operations, but across the entire supply chain and throughout the lifecycle of its solutions. Continuous development of the circular economy and sustainable performance is an important part of iLOQ's strategy.
Sustainability through energy harvesting:
In an era of electronic waste, iLOQ has eliminated the need for batteries in smart locks—a move that prevents yearly over 270 tons of hazardous battery waste. This philosophy extends the hardware lifecycle to decades, minimizing the carbon footprint of manufacturing. Furthermore, remote cloud management reduces the need for physical maintenance trips, saving thousands of liters of fuel and lowering CO2 emissions.
Impact & Metrics
The iLOQ ecosystem is a Finnish innovation powerhouse that continues its strong global growth through user-centric digital keys and locks. It stands as a showcase of digital innovation that prioritizes human experience, accessibility, and environmental responsibility.
Customer quotes
I know I can instantly disable a key if a phone gets lost, which is brilliant.
Property managerOur staff includes people with different mobility and dexterity needs, and iLOQ’s keyless operation has removed accessibility barriers we didn’t even realize we had.
Non-profit disability service providerAfter switching to iLOQ, we’ve seen a clear reduction in material waste and lifecycle costs. It’s a win for the planet and our budget.
Property management firmiLOQ quotes
Sustainability is not a discussion happening on the side table these days, it is taking center stage in many conversations. For us, it means that sustainability goals and objectives are an integral part of our company strategy and business operations.
Heikki Hiltunen, CEOThe new iLOQ App is the smartest smart-locking app in the industry.
Riikka Rae, Senior Product ManagerWith 10,000,000+ locks and digital keys in use by over 1,000,000 people, iLOQ is a proven global standard.
Internal iLOQ impact summary
