Each month, Multifamily Dive highlights new products of interest to the industry across a spectrum of product types and applications, including building products, smart tech features and property management and operations software and services. 

This month, the spotlight is on tech – from smart features designed to enhance renters' lives to security, marketing and software tools for property owners and managers. 

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Smart lock selections

While hardware manufacturer INOX is no stranger to residential-grade smart locks, the ISM7000 Series Smart Entry Lock is designed with commercial use and scaling in mind. 

The series is available in any trim, lever or finish in INOX's product line. The INOX SMART mobile app allows an institutional user to incorporate and manage separate "e-keys" for a given lock, such as RFID cards or wristbands, and set multiple levels of user roles and permissions. Users can also set one of three modes for a lock: Entrance, the standard mode; Passage, which unlocks a door and leaves it unlocked; and Privacy, which locks a door until the mode is deactivated.

The app is designed for compatibility with multiple types of access devices, including parking garage exits or high-traffic amenity entrances, and lock settings include auto locking, remote locking and scheduled access. 

The ISM7000 Series Smart Entry Lock will be available starting June 1. 

A mobile mount

Building on the existing Matterport Capture iOS and Android device app, the Matterport Axis motorized mount provides a stable capture alternative to the human hand for Matterport smartphone users. By mounting a smartphone to the Axis rotary arm, users can position and rotate the built-in camera with machine precision via remote control, enabling hands-free 3D capture to the Matterport app for any space.

Together, the Axis and Matterport Capture app provide an alternative to the company's specialized 3D capture cameras. Matterport envisions that real estate professionals and property managers can create digital twins of spaces for rent using the cameras on their smartphones and publish a virtual tour online within an hour, according to a company release. The Axis can also be used for site capture during the development and construction process, and organizations with property holdings across a wide geographic area can create digital twins simultaneously across multiple locations. 

The Matterport Axis is set to launch on April 1 at a retail price of $79 for a single mount and $89 for the mount and tripod. The Matterport Capture app requires a Matterport account for use.

Expanded smart ecosystems

Smart apartment technology maker Arize has moved into its second generation of automation products and rolled out upgrades to existing first-generation devices.

New products in the second generation include the Arize Smart Thermostat and Arize Smoke Listener. The Smart Thermostat works with most HVAC systems, according to the manufacturer, and its features include customizable batch scheduling and extreme temperature regulation. The Smoke Listener identifies alerts from nearby smoke detectors and processes them into alerts on the Arize app. 

First-gen upgrades include new code sharing and security features for the Arize Smart Lock and an easier installation process for the Entry Sensor, Motion Sensor and Water Leak Detectors. 

Fast charging at scale

The MQ 200, one of five new electric vehicle charging stations from Blink Charging, is designed for projects that require a large number of chargers in a single location, including transportation fleets, workplaces and multifamily residences. 

Up to 20 of the 50-amp stations can be installed on a single circuit under local load management, according to the manufacturer. Each unit features an integrated Plug & Charge function, which allows compatible electric vehicles to immediately start a charge once the station is plugged in, as well as smart grid functionality to communicate with local power utilities. 

The MQ 200 is compatible with wall, pole and pedestal deployment methods, and can accommodate multiple cable management options to fit different installations. The units can also connect to the Blink Network and Blink Fleet Portal smartphone apps, which allow users to find nearby charging stations, view charge status and history and schedule charging times in particular locations.