Let me paint a picture. It is late. You are carrying groceries. You tap your smart lock, and nothing happens.
Dead batteries. Again.
You add “replace smart lock batteries” to your to-do list. It will sit there for three more weeks.
I have been there. I have talked to dozens of homeowners who love their smart locks until they suddenly become the most frustrating door stop in existence.
Until now. The Lockin V7 Max, unveiled at CES 2026, runs on something called AuraCharge.
It uses infrared light to charge itself wirelessly and continuously from across the room.
No solar. No battery swaps. No monthly maintenance whatsoever.
It won the CES 2026 Innovation Award Best of Innovation. It is already in production.
What Is AuraCharge Infrared Wireless Charging?
AuraCharge is an infrared-based spatial wireless power technology. A small transmitter plugs into a wall outlet and beams an invisible infrared signal to the lock. A receiver inside the lock converts that light back into electricity.
Think of it as a permanent, invisible extension cord made of light.
Here are the numbers that matter. The range is 4 meters. That covers most entryways from a single transmitter placement.
The design life is 100,000 hours. That works out to more than 11 years of continuous operation.
It works in complete darkness. It works in rain. It works in sub-zero temperatures.
Lockin holds 511 global patents on the technology. That is after four years and 500-plus design iterations.
Bill Chen, CEO of Lockin, put it simply to CNET: “AuraCharge requires no sunlight, no manual charging, and provides an infinite power supply.”
No sunlight. No manual charging. Infinite.
According to Techlicious, the infrared beam is eye-safe. The transmitter sends a low-level infrared beam continuously. It is similar to a TV remote but at a wavelength and power level designed for continuous human exposure.
Lockin V7 Max Key Features
The V7 Max is not just about the charging trick. It is also a technically impressive smart lock in its own right.
Vein recognition. Lockin is the number one bestselling vein recognition smart lock brand worldwide.
Vein recognition reads the unique pattern of veins inside your hand. It is extremely difficult to spoof. It does not leave fingerprints on surfaces.
Multiple unlocking methods. Fingerprint, PIN code, NFC card, app control, and physical key backup.
AuraCharge wireless optical charging. Zero battery maintenance, period.
LockinAI integration. AI-powered detection to prevent tailgating and forced entry attempts.
All-weather reliability. Works in rain, cold, heat, and total darkness without any performance drop.
CES 2026 Innovation Award Best of Innovation. This is not a concept. It is shipping in mid-2026.
How It Performs in Real Life
I have looked at hands-on impressions from every major outlet that covered this at CES. The consensus is striking in its consistency.
The transmitter needs to be within 4 meters of the lock. It must be pointed at the lock. For most single-family homes, one transmitter covers the front door comfortably.
Apartment dwellers might need to position the transmitter carefully. The 4-meter range is generous enough that it should work in most setups.
The vein recognition is fast. Lockin has been building this technology for years. Their algorithm handles cold weather and slightly wet fingers without the frustration that plagues some optical fingerprint readers.
AuraCharge vs Typical Smart Lock Power Solutions
Here is where it gets interesting. The smart lock industry has tried a few approaches to the battery problem. None of them are perfect.
| Solution | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Standard AA batteries | Universal, cheap, swappable | Constant replacements, freeze in cold, leak and damage contacts |
| Rechargeable lithium packs | Reusable, decent capacity | You still have to remember to charge them, proprietary cables, take the lock apart |
| Solar charging | Free power from sunlight | Does not work in shade, struggles in winter, unreliable in covered porches |
| AuraCharge infrared | Works in darkness, rain, cold; no placement needed; truly maintenance-free | Requires transmitter plugged in; new technology with limited ecosystem |
The key difference is that AuraCharge works when you do not think about it.
Solar needs actual sun. Standard batteries need your attention.
AuraCharge just sits there, always on, always charging, regardless of weather or time of day.
According to Forbes, Wi-Charge has also been bringing wireless power to Schlage Encode locks. This is a similar concept but using a different wireless power approach.
This confirms the industry is moving toward distance wireless charging as the next evolution. Lockin simply got there first with a complete, shipping product.
Common Questions
Is the infrared beam safe?
Yes. The AuraCharge system uses non-laser infrared light that is eye-safe.
The transmitter sends a low-level infrared beam continuously. It is similar to a TV remote but at a wavelength and power level designed for continuous human exposure. It does not emit UV or any ionizing radiation.
What happens if the transmitter loses power?
The lock has a small internal backup capacitor. It stores enough energy for multiple unlocks.
It is not a battery. But it provides enough buffer to get you inside if someone accidentally unplugs the transmitter.
Can I use this if I rent?
The transmitter is a small plug-in device. Roughly the size of a night light. It does not require installation, drilling, or modification to the door or wall.
The lock itself replaces your existing deadbolt. Renters should check with landlords. But the physical install is non-destructive.
How much does it cost?
Pricing has not been officially announced. Based on the CES reveal and Lockin’s positioning as a premium brand, expect it to land in the $300-400 range for the full kit.
That includes the lock plus one transmitter. The company expects to ship in mid-2026.
What other devices will use AuraCharge?
Lockin has hinted that the AuraCharge technology is designed as a platform.
The transmitter could eventually power other smart home devices around the house. The company is already thinking beyond the lock. But the V7 Max is the first proof of concept.
Who Is This For?
If any of these sound familiar, the V7 Max with AuraCharge is worth the wait.
You replace your smart lock batteries more than twice a year.
You live somewhere cold. Standard alkaline batteries lose significant capacity below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The V7 Max sidesteps this entirely. It does not rely on chemical batteries at all.
You manage rentals or an Airbnb. As one user noted, “make sure the batteries do not run out” is the number one concern with smart locks in rental properties.
You care about home aesthetics. Cable clutter and battery covers are ugly. The AuraCharge transmitter is small and white. It plugs into an outlet unobtrusively.
Bottom Line
The Lockin V7 Max is the first smart lock that genuinely solves the battery problem rather than managing it.
AuraCharge infrared wireless charging is not a gimmick. It is a legitimately different approach that works in conditions where solar fails and where traditional batteries struggle.
The 4-meter range, the all-weather operation, and the 100,000-hour transmitter lifespan mean this system is built to last.
But if you have ever been locked out because of a dead smart lock battery, you already know the price of that inconvenience.
The V7 Max removes that category of failure entirely. Something no other smart lock on the market can claim today.
