In recent news, a heartwarming story titled "Four-Year-Old's Quick Thinking in a Fire Emergency" gained widespread attention. The video showcased a grandmother locking the door, leaving a young child unable to open it. The child's brilliant response was to call the fire department for help, ultimately resulting in a successful rescue. Netizens hailed the child's quick wit.

The pivotal detail in the video was that the grandmother had locked the door, rendering the child unable to open it from the inside. This story prompted me to consider the unique queries I often receive from my audience. People frequently inquire about the existence of smart locks that, when locked from the outside, remain inaccessible from the inside, or the opposite scenario where they can be locked from the inside (without a mechanical override) and remain locked from the outside.

We empathize with the concerns and unique needs of consumers, such as preventing young children or elderly family members from accidentally leaving the house. However, industry experts understand that, except for double-sided fingerprint locks and specific niche products, mainstream smart locks for entry doors always offer an inside unlocking option. One primary rationale for this is the imperative of adhering to fire safety regulations.

From a product design perspective, the concept of locks that cannot be unlocked from the inside or outside is fraught with challenges. Industry professionals I've consulted with unanimously agree that such designs are impractical. These designs not only fail to meet safety requirements but also exhibit an extreme and inflexible logic. While they may seem convenient under normal circumstances, they could lead to unforeseeable complications in crisis situations. For instance, if a smart lock is locked from the outside, preventing inside unlocking, it could have catastrophic consequences during a house fire, with occupants trapped inside.

Smart locks, despite their versatility, cannot address all the unique requirements beyond mere locking and unlocking. However, their design not only ensures security but also provides an escape route during emergencies. The security of smart locks doesn't rely on restricting interior door-opening rights. Furthermore, it's essential that a lock's security features do not compromise the real safety of its users. This is the essence of user-centric design in smart locks.

While there are regulations in place to guide the design of smart locks, it's worth noting that some products in the market still grapple with design issues, which not only affect the overall user experience but can also jeopardize user safety.

In my view, developing and designing smart locks should always consider user perspectives and adhere to user-centric design principles. However, professionals in the smart lock industry, especially lock designers, should recognize that user-centric design goes beyond merely catering to user demands. User needs might not always align with the practicalities of product design or considerations of safety, representing a significant difference between consumer expectations and the perspectives of industry experts.

The lock industry bears the immense responsibility of safeguarding countless households. Striking the right balance between user convenience and safety is the hallmark of a well-designed smart lock.