11/20/2019

A modern networked locking system for...

The Drivery, Berlin

“The Drivery” in Berlin is a modern co-working space. The innovation center, which opened in March 2019, focuses on new developments in the field of mobility. The premises are rented to companies and self-employed who can network with one another here. The necessary infrastructure is provided, from offices with high-performance servers to event rooms and fully equipped workshops. In this way, the future of mobility is being redefined.


The historic Ullsteinhaus of the former Ullstein publishing house in Berlin houses The Drivery GmbH, which was officially opened in March. On around 10,000 square meters there are modern offices, meeting rooms, event rooms and workshops on two floors that are shared by various companies. The innovation network promotes the development of new products and services related to mobility. Here ideas are generated, prototypes built and brought to market maturity. The Drivery thus offers the necessary infrastructure and networking of creative minds to create innovative solutions for the mobility of the future, for example electromobility, autonomous driving, the connection of cars to the Internet (Internet of Things) and car sharing models.

 

The Drivery is divided into different areas: In the so-called Exclusive Private Studios, you can concentrate and work without being disturbed. This is where the Drivery thinks forge lies. The common areas are used for networking and socializing. In the in-house algorithm farm, the ideas are further developed by programmers with the help of high-performance processors. We even have our own vehicle workshop with state-of-the-art equipment. The proximity within a building guarantees a seamless development workflow.

 

Such a co-working space places the highest demands on efficient access organization. Thanks to the cooperation between Uhlmann & Zacher and YPTOKEY, a modern, innovative access solution could be guaranteed. YPTOKEY GmbH offers a software solution for the mobile access organization of the future. The software can be used to open U&Z's electronic locking units via Bluetooth® with a smartphone and to send digital keys. YPTOKEY uses blockchain technology for this. One advantage of this technology is the decentralized creation and management of the digital keys. As a result, the locking units are not dependent on a central server, but the authorizations lie with the user himself. Decentralized networks are used to make the sending of the digital keys transparent. The anonymized transactions ensure security and transparency. For those responsible at The Drivery, it was also important that the installation was carried out professionally by a certified installer. Stockhausen Consulting GmbH accompanied the customer competently through the planning and installation phase.

 

It was the first project of its kind for everyone involved. The Drivery as the owner, U&Z as the manufacturer of electronic locking systems, Stockhausen Consulting as the project coordinator and YPTOKEY as the software provider all set the ambitious goal of offering users a secure locking system that can only be accessed via mobile End devices enables and consciously minimizes the use of RFID transponders. This locking system, including the management software, has been completely redeveloped and, together with the YPTOKEY software, is one of the first locking solutions on the market based on a decentralized infrastructure.


The Drivery was a pilot project for the collaboration between U&Z and YPTOKEY. Due to the great success after the introduction of the digital locking system, the two companies decided to enter into a close partnership. In this way, the blockchain solution is to be integrated into the standard portfolio of U&Z in the future, which in turn can be made available to all users of the U&Z software Keyvi.

 

One of the biggest challenges with The Drivery property was to bring the large number of users with different end devices under one roof. For this it was necessary to achieve the simplest possible design both in the front end and in the back end of the smartphone app. For example, one and the same push of a button is used to open and close the locking unit, i.e. generally for activation. Only locking units to which the user has access are also displayed. The app is suitable for the iOS and Android operating systems; the availability is continuously extended to other manufacturers and operating systems.


In addition, there were very different requirements for guaranteeing access, e.g. to the co-working spaces, individually bookable meeting rooms and event rooms or the common areas. Access is often limited in time. For this reason, the internal clock of the locking unit was integrated for a corresponding time limit for individual users. In addition, a flexible administration tool was used with which the locking units can be individually assigned to individual users.


The large number of locking units with a very short distance from one another also required an optimization of the transmission power in the locking units as well as recording and evaluating the locking unit signals in the mobile app. The project basically helps to examine the battery consumption more closely during operation and to optimize it in the long term.


The Drivery was a pilot project for the collaboration between U&Z and YPTOKEY. Due to the great success after the introduction of the digital locking system, the two companies decided to enter into a close partnership. In this way, the blockchain solution is to be integrated into the standard portfolio of U&Z in the future, which in turn can be made available to all users of the U&Z software Keyvi.

 

A total of almost 50 electronic locking units from Uhlmann & Zacher are in use. The majority of these are electronic locking cylinders for indoor use and two electronic half cylinders for outdoor installation in accordance with protection class IP66. In addition, several electronic door handles for indoor use were installed.

 

The electronic locking system is looked after on site by YPTOKEY, because the GmbH is based in the property itself. In this way, customer feedback can be directly received and taken into account. The “YPTOKEY” integration for the “Cobot” management software is used to manage the locking system. Around 300 users are already using the software in the Drivery.

 

The successful cooperation with Uhlmann & Zacher, YPTOKEY and Stockhausen Consulting is to be continued and expanded in the future. For example, the use of electronic cabinet locks and wall readers is also planned.

 

Security insight, Issue 5/2019

Photos: The Drivery and YPTOKEY GmbH

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