DigiLock: Revolutionizing Bike Security with Fingerprint Technology

Tong Jin Kim's Award-Winning Design Offers a High-Tech Solution to Bike Theft

Many bike riders face common issues with traditional bike lock solutions such as losing keys, forgetting lock combinations, sharing the lock, and the threat of thieves cutting the lock and stealing the bike. DigiLock addresses these issues by providing a keyless, combination-free solution that can be shared among multiple users and offers a theft alert feature.

DigiLock stands out from other bike locks due to its unique fingerprint reading technology. Users simply hold the fingerprint reading button for three seconds and pull the lock to open. The lock can be set up and charged by connecting it to a computer or smartphone via a micro USB. This allows for the addition of multiple accounts for shared access and the setting of the level of theft alert.

The realization of DigiLock was made possible through technology scouting, an important step in the design process that involves understanding the potential of technology to deliver the desired user experience. The lock is designed to work with any computer and smart device, making it a versatile solution for bike security.

The DigiLock project began in November 2013 in Chicago and was completed in August 2014 in West Lafayette. It was exhibited in the Purdue gallery in October 2015. The design was informed by ethnographic research and user behavior studies, followed by a brainstorming process that led to the development of many ideas. These were evaluated and iterated based on people's reviews.

Despite the existence of many bike locks in the market, DigiLock stands out for its innovative integration of technology. The design was awarded Platinum in the A' Digital and Electronic Device Design Award in 2016, a prestigious accolade that recognizes world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative designs that contribute to societal wellbeing.