(This article has been significantly revised because the whole “Cryptex” concept from The DaVinci Code flew over my head. My apologies. And now, we return to your scheduled programming.) The Crypteks USB drive doesn’t just have a mechanical lock like the DIY Cryptex drive. It has additional security features aside from the mechanical lock, like 256-bit AES hardware encryption, a read-only mode and the ability to set the number of wrong password attempts before the drive goes Men in Black and wipes its contents.

The Crypteks USB has already earned more than twice its target goal on Kickstarter. The fundraiser will still be up for 22 days, so sneak your way to its project page if you want to be one of the first to own a Crypteks USB drive. Those of you who want to play it safe with your money (but apparently not with your data!) can avail of the retail version when it drops mid-2012. My only complaint about this drive is that it’s USB 2.0-spec only, which is kind of disappointing considering the drive costs $130 (USD) for the 8GB version and $160 for the 16GB version.

[Crypteks via The Verge]

The lock is a deadbolt for your door and it communicates with an app on an iPhone that appears to be in some sort of NFC case. You run the app on the phone and can choose from multiple keys. When you walk up and press the smartphone to the door, it opens the lock.

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This would be much better than my keypad because if my hands are full I can give the phone to someone to unlock the door for me without having to yell the code across my yard. It’s so easy, my kids could do the unlocking too. You also don’t need a Wi-Fi network or home automation to use the lock either.

No word yet on when the Yale electronic key and lock system will be available for purchase.

[via CEPro]

While I can’t read Russian, Google translate tells me roughly that the drive was made by a guy going by the moniker “Tarator”, and was modeled using AutoCAD software. He then output the designs to mechanical drawings so each of the components could be fabricated from metal. It’s not clear what materials were used to make it, but it looks like brass to me.

The drive is encased in a metal sleeve that acts as a 5-wheel combination lock, restricting access to the top-secret data payload stored within. I’m not quite sure how all the pins and gears work together to lock it down, but it must have taken some serious engineering talent to pull this off.

[via Fancy]

Recently, engineer Nirav Patel took his RepRap 3D printer and created a program for it that allows it to print keys that will open locks at home and other places too. The system uses the printer to actually make the keys and OpenSCAD software for the in putting of the lock code to generate the key schematics.

The builder says that it will work with Kwikset KW1 and Schlage SC1 locks. Those are the two most common door locks in the US apparently. If you have a 3D printer, you can print your own keys using OpenSCAD and the files offered on eclecticc.

[via Hack a Day]

To use Lockitron, you have to get the self-install kit, which includes a base-station and a USB remote fob. The fob connects to the base-station, which in turn connects to the Internet via an Ethernet cable. To use Lockitron, just log on to Lockitron’s website via your Internet-enabled smartphone. When you send a command – lock or unlock – to the base-station, the fob relays the command to the deadbolt. Apigy claims that the command is executed between 0.5-2 seconds after it is sent. Watch the video below to find out about Lockitron’s other features.

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As shown in the video, even if your phone can’t access the Web you can still use Lockitron via text. The text messaging feature also lets you “share” your Lockitron key to other people, so you can let multiple people in and do so even if you’re hundreds of miles away. Convenient, but also creepy. And how about that NFC feature? With that one, your phone is your door key. Remember how I said our phones were becoming more and more valuable?

Still, it’s nice to know that the Lockitron locks still come with traditional keys, so if something goes wrong with the hardware, software or the network, you can still use the old-fashioned key.

You can order the Lockitron self-install kits at the official website; prices start at $295 (USD). Currently Apigy will only ship the kits to US addresses, because they’re concerned about latency issues that may be encountered if the kit is installed abroad. Check out Lockitron’s website if you want more details.

[via Laughing Squid via TechCrunch]

The designer is Jaryn Miller who attends the Savannah College of Art and came up with the cool concept for a class project. The idea is that the handlebars come off the bike and turn into the lock needed for protection of the bike. If the thief cuts the lock, they won’t be able to ride the bike away because the bars will be ruined.

That is assuming the thief isn’t some sort of world-class no-hands rider. The downside is if the thief tears up the bars and then leaves the bike, you can’t ride the bike home either. Still, it’s a cool design that would help protect your bike from those thieving bastards running around the city.

[via Fastcodesign]

This thing is a long titanium bow that you would probably need a blowtorch to cut through. I think a thief with a torch would set off warning bells to people walking by. The bike lock is on Kickstarter right now seeking the funds to come to reality. The project needs $37,500 to test and produce an initial batch according to designer John Loughlin.

It has about a month to go before the project is funded, and so far, John has about half of his goal pledged. The coolest thing I see about his lock is if someone did steal your bike and left the lock behind you could totally kick some ass with it. It looks like a blunt sword. You could catch up with that crook and just beat him senseless.

[via Kickstarter]

What I needed back then was this lock-picking robot that a team of students at the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering in Needham, MA have cobbled together. The thing is able to crack a Master combination lock whether or not you know any of the numbers. You can see the lock-bot in action in the video here:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The guys that built it have posted a nice amount of documentation behind the project. On the plus side, this thing looks fairly large, noisy, and requires some time to open locks where it doesn’t know some part of the combination. So if someone was trying to use it to hack your locker you should be able to see them in action and kick their ass.

[via Boing Boing]

If you don’t want to go that extreme, the Keybrid may be the perfect solution. It’s a key blank that you can have carved at a hardware shop to work on just about any lock out there. The thing has a key ring built into the key so you can clip it to things and I assume you could clip other keys to it as well if you want.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Right now, you can only get them in silver but next year there will be gold, black, and pink Keybrids too. A single keybrid in SC1 or KW1 styles will cost you $8.99 or you can get both styles for $16.99 and cover 95% of the locks out there.

This thing is a case that will protect your iPad from the drops and daily grind associated with taking the tablet on the road with you. Once you get to the office, you can connect a locking cable to the case that will prevent someone from walking off with it. The maker of the security case says that any thief won’t be able to get the case off the iPad without breaking it.

The locking cable looks a lot like the old Kensington locks that have been around forever to secure notebooks. You can pre-order the case and lock bundle today for $64.95 (USD) over at MacLocks and it is set to ship in about a week. The bundle also comes with a protective film for the iPad screen.

Kensington has unveiled a new notebook lock called the ClickSafe Keyed Laptop Lock. The new lock has a metal prong that is separate from the lock itself that inserts into the notebook. The lock portion is attached to a steel cable and simply clicks onto the locking nub placed onto the notebook.

The lock is pick proof and the cable can’t be cut easily. The idea is that the new easy to connect locking mechanism will make people more likely to use the lock to prevent theft. The ClickSafe doesn’t need a key to be installed, but does need a key to be removed. The ClickSafe lock sells for $49.99 (USD).

The FaceID system can store digital profiles for up to 500 unique faces, and use those to validate the identity of those who stare into its camera lenses. A pair of digitial cameras allows the FaceID system to recreate a 3-dimensional image of the individual’s face, and runs it through a face detection algorithm to match their face to its internal database. The 3-D images also prevent people from hacking in by just holding up a photo. It’s even smart enough to cope with irregularities in lighting conditions, and can even work in the dark.

Designed as both a replacement for timecard systems and a door security system, the FaceID claims a less than 0.0001% margin for error in its recognition algorithm. Not too shabby. With one of these in place, you won’t be able to hand your timecard to another employee to punch in for you ever again. Unless you cut their head off and carry it around with you, I suppose.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Keep in mind that the FaceID system doesn’t actually come with an electronic door lock, but provides a standard Wiegand interface for controlling security systems. You can find the FaceID system over at ChinaVasion for $447 (USD).

I wonder if thing can detect if you’re a Replicant or not?

It’s basically the same as its bigger brothers, the ones that secure bicycles, doors, or lockers. Just set a 3 – number combination, fit it onto a flash disk’s USB connector and voila. Your brother can’t access his data anymore. Seriously though don’t do that. Don’t lock your friend’s USB mouse or terabyte drive. Because that would be fun. Security is serious business.

The USB combination lock can be yours for the low, low price of ¥500 (Appx. $5.50 USD) at rakuda – net. I expected Green House to come up with a door than can only be opened by a USB key. Not this. I guess I’ll have to count on Brando for that.

[via Akihabara News]