The future of access control just received an innovative upgrade. At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, WePower Technologies and Southco unveiled a groundbreaking battery-free smart lock that promises to slash maintenance needs and wiring expenses for both businesses and facility operators. This new solution demonstrates how kinetic energy harvesting is poised to transform electronic access technology.
WePower and Southco Launch Maintenance-Free Smart Lock
During a live demonstration at CES 2026, WePower and Southco showcased their new wireless, battery-free smart lock concept. This lock integrates WePower’s Gemns G200 energy harvester, which gathers energy from everyday movements, and powers Southco’s locking actuator and BLE radio—all without wires or batteries. By eliminating traditional barriers such as wiring and battery changes, OEMs and operators can install secure, connected locks with minimal effort. As a result, even remote cabinets, industrial equipment, and enclosures can now benefit from affordable, yet highly secure, electronic access.
How Kinetic Energy Harvesting Powers Battery-Free Access
The key to this innovation lies in kinetic energy harvesting technology. The Gemns platform uses electromagnetic induction with permanent magnets to convert basic actions, like a button press, into usable power. This energy is strong enough to support wireless transmissions and lock actuation, even with no battery present. Furthermore, the system pairs with a smartphone app for wireless control, so users enjoy remote access management without ongoing maintenance headaches. This marks a major step forward for sustainable, low-maintenance smart access solutions.
Scalable Solutions for Industrial and Enterprise Security
WePower’s Gemns technology and Southco’s connected access hardware have been designed with scalability in mind. They enable custom solutions for a wide range of industries, such as:
- Data center cabinets
- Industrial equipment
- Enterprise access points
- Remote enclosures
By removing the need for service truck visits and battery replacements, companies can deploy connected locks at thousands of points, previously seen as too costly or impractical. The combined low-power and high-efficiency approach ensures that security upgrades are possible on any scale.
In summary, the new battery-free smart lock from WePower and Southco offers a glimpse into the future of access control. Harnessing kinetic energy for power, this maintenance-free solution enables secure, scalable, and sustainable access for a variety of industries. As electronic access continues to evolve, this innovation eliminates many long-standing barriers, making connected security both practical and cost-effective.
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