Veteran Climber Will Control Kwikset Locks, Located Thousands of Miles Away, From Highest Mountain on Earth; "Preview" at ISC West in Las Vegas
LAKE FOREST, CA (April 1, 2015) – Kwikset, the leader in residential security, is taking part in what is being billed as the world's boldest and most remote demonstration of home automation ever: the FIBARO Mount Everest Challenge, powered by Z-Wave®.
Last year, mountain climber Mariusz Malkowski took home automation to new heights when he remotely controlled home automation devices, including a Kwikset lock, from the top of Cho Oyu, the sixth-highest mountain in the world. This year Malkowski will climb to the summit of Mount Everest, Earth’s highest mountain -- over 29,000 feet above sea-level -- from where he will control a number of Z-Wave powered devices located on the other side of the globe, including a Kwikset SmartCode™ 916 Touchscreen Electronic Deadbolt. (The demonstration will take place between May 16 and May 30, depending on climbing conditions.
The demonstration is intended to show end-users the dependability of Z-Wave technology. It will also showcase the reliability of Kwikset’s electronic locks, as well as the impressive functionality of the company’s Home Connect™ technology.
"Kwikset's SmartCode locks, combined with Z-Wave technology, deliver a powerful standard of security performance reliability," said Keith Brandon, Director of Residential Access Solutions for Kwikset. "This extreme long-distance demonstration will provide a dramatic example of that point.
"It will also show consumers that SmartCode locks with Home Connect technology gives them control of their overall security -- and the ability to create customized access control scenarios -- from anywhere in the world."
Mariusz Malkowski is a 40-year-old technical services manager at Sigma Designs, part of the 300-member Z-Wave Alliance. Malkowski has climbed world-class mountains on four continents, many of them by himself. For the FIBARO Challenge, Malkowski will climb Mount Everest alone, with no porters and no supplemental oxygen during the expedition. He is scheduled to begin his ascent on April 3 or 4 and will conclude around the end of May.
A live connection is planned for ISC West in Las Vegas, April 16, 11:00 a.m. (PST). where attendees will be able to watch Malkowski perform an initial demonstration from the Mount Everest base camp.
About Kwikset
Kwikset (www.kwikset.com), the leader in residential security, manufactures and markets a complete line of door locks and door hardware, including door knobs, door levers, deadbolts, handlesets, pocket door hardware and electronic keyless entry locks for residential and light commercial applications. Kwikset’s SmartCode™ locks with Home Connect™ technology are the industry’s leading wireless, access control lock solution for the smart home.
About Hardware and Home Improvement
Kwikset is part of Hardware and Home Improvement (HHI), a major manufacturer and supplier of residential locksets, residential builders’ hardware and faucets with a portfolio of renowned brands, including Kwikset®, Weiser®, Baldwin®, National Hardware®, Stanley®, FANAL®, Pfister™ and EZSET®. HHI is a leader in its key markets with #1 positions in U.S. residential locksets (Kwikset), Canada residential locksets (Weiser), U.S. luxury locksets (Baldwin), and U.S. builders’ hardware (Stanley-National Hardware), #2 in Mexico residential hardware (Fanal), and #3 in U.S. retail plumbing (Pfister). Headquartered in Orange County, California, HHI has a global sales force and operates manufacturing and distribution facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Asia. HHI is a division of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPB).
About Spectrum Brands
Spectrum Brands is a global, diversified consumer products company and a leading supplier of consumer batteries, residential locksets, residential builders’ hardware and faucets, shaving and grooming products, personal care products, small household appliances, specialty pet supplies, lawn and garden and home pest control products, personal insect repellents, and auto care products. Spectrum Brands employs over 15,000 employees worldwide and sells to the top 25 global retailers with products in more than one million stores representing 160 countries.