Noke is a Bluetooth Padlock You Can Take Anywhere

In our weekly series on crowdfunding projects, we look at the best new pitches on sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo to find the ideas that can make a difference. Some of the most exciting new gadgets, like the Pebble smartwatch and the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset came to be thanks to Kickstarter, and that's why we're watching these sites for the next big thing.

One such Kickstarter is the Noke (pronounced No Key) Bluetooth Padlock. The Noke is a standard padlock, but instead of a key, it is unlocked by using an app installed on a paired smartphone. It's a great idea because you don't need to worry about losing your keys and locking yourself out. At the same time, since the lock isn't installed in the door, you can take it with you - as a bicycle lock, the developers suggest - but this is also useful if you shift houses frequently, or if you're house sitting for a friend for a couple of days.

The Noke will have apps for both iOS and Android, and it's a relatively small lock, so you could use it at a locker, or to secure your luggage in a train. And one very cool feature is access sharing - you can give other Noke users the power to unlock your unit, and this can be set up as a permanent unlock (for family members or roommates), or a one-time unlock, or even a custom unlock - for example, imagine a friend who's house-sitting for a week. You can let his phone open your lock for the duration of your holiday, and not one extra day. We imagine this feature will become rather popular with Airbnb hosts and users.

In case you're worried about security, you'll be glad to know that the lock also comes with a historical log showing who's unlocked Noke, and when. But best of all, there's also a Morse code unlock function! The lock can be clicked into the base unit, and you can set up a passcode - in the form of long and short clicks of course - to unlock the Noke.

This is useful in case your phone's battery runs out - or the lock's, for that matter. The creators say the Noke battery should last one year, but having the option to open the lock without Bluetooth, and still not needing a key, is definitely impressive. Oh, and the unit will still remind you when it's time to change the batteries.

You can see the full Kickstarter video below:

The Noke is estimated to start shipping in February 2015, and will be accepting pledges until September 17. It has already crossed the $100,000 target, but you can still get yourself a lock for $59, against the projected retail price of $89. Shipping outside the US will cost another $15. You can also buy them in packs of 2 for $108, 3 for $145, and 5 for $239. You can also pick up a 10-pack for $599.

To see more stories from the world of crowdfunding, click here.