Today’s Internet of Things (IoT) roundup features a sexy smart lock that eliminates the need for physical keys, funding for a connected light maker, and Mozilla’s entry into the smart home market.

LIME Smart Lock

Pkinno, Inc. introduced a new smart lock that aims to eliminate old, physical keys. Called LIME, this sexy smart lock combines different protocols to make it easier for users to open doors, but harder for intruders to do the same.

The LIME is designed to replace a deadbolt lock and looks a bit similar to the August smart lock, but has a more polished look. It features Bluetooth Unlock which allows users to choose between the device unlocking as the user approaches the door or when the user taps the device when LIME is paired with a smartphone via Bluetooth. LIME is equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC), and compatible smartphones can unlock it with just a tap of the device. LIME also supports Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), so instead of physical keys users can opt for an RFID card to be placed inside a wallet, wristband or key fob. If users forget their smartphone or RFID card they can use the touchscreen display on the device to enter a passcode to unlock LIME. To lock LIME, you just need to tap it when you leave.

LIME comes with a smartphone app that allows users to monitor and manage door activities as well as create temporary a VARICODE which can be given to guests for one-time access or specific timeframe. LIME also comes with a Gateway that serves as a bridge connecting the device to a user’s home network. Though it aims to eliminate the use of physical keys, it still has a slot for one in case all else fails, such as when the battery gets drained and was not immediately replaced.

LIME is currently looking to raise $65,000 on Kickstarter PBC to bring the product to market.

Enlighted raises $25m to turn LEDs into IoT nodes

IoT platform provider for commercial buildings Enlighted, Inc. announced that it has raised $25 million in a Series D round from new investor Tao Capital along with existing investors Kleiner Perkins, RockPort Capital Partners, and Draper Fisher Jurvetson.

Elighted was founded in 2009 and the company specializes in advanced digital sensor and analytics platform to create smarter buildings, which are easier to manage as well as more energy efficient.

The new round of funding will be used to turn LED light fixtures into IoT nodes that deliver wireless connectivity for buildings. Together with this round, Enlighted has raised a total of $80.4 million.

Aside from the new round of funding, Enlighted also announced a $20 million line of credit from Square 1 Bank which will be used to deliver the company’s Global Energy Optimization (GEO) program to more customers.

Mozilla to enter smart home market

Mozilla Corp. may have given up its efforts to infiltrate the smartphone market, but it’s now turning the page and has shifted its focus on the burgeoning smart home market.

Ari Jaaksi, Mozilla’s senior vice president of connected devices, recently announced its first round of projects aims at the connected home.

The first round includes Project Link, a personal user agent that learns what users want in their smart home; Project Sensor Web, the easiest path from sensors to open data for contributors to collaboratively build a detailed understanding of their living environments; Project Smart Home, a modular and affordable hardware approach to automating the home; and Project Vaani, an IoT enabler package directed at developers, device makers and users who want to add a voice interface to connected devices.

If you are interested in the projects, you can get involved here.

Photo by Paul Keller