The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) has published Aliro 1.0, a new standardised way to use digital keys to unlock any door or access point from a smartphone or wearable.

The protocol has received backing from major mobile ecosystem providers, including Apple, Google, and Samsung. It is intended to allow users to store and use digital credentials within native mobile wallets, reducing the fragmentation that has previously hindered the adoption of digital access systems.

The specifications of the Aliro 1.0 standard include:

• Asymmetric cryptography for secured device-to-reader communication
• Support for Near Field Communication (NFC) for tap-to-access functionality
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for long-range, user-initiated communication
• Ultra-Wideband (UWB) integration for hands-free authentication
• Certification programmes managed through authorised test laboratories

Tobin Richardson, President and CEO of the Connectivity Standards Alliance, said the standard connects the access control industry to mobile wallet ecosystems to reduce integration complexity. The CSA expects the first certified products to come from companies including Allegion, Aqara, HID, and NXP Semiconductors.

The Aliro 1.0 framework is designed to function without network coverage, allowing for use in elevators and underground parking facilities. The alliance, which includes over 220 member companies, stated that future phases of the standard will address expanded use cases such as secure digital key sharing.