Exploring End Users' Perceptions of Smart Lock Automation Within the Smart Home Environment

Unlike their conventional counterparts, smart locks have the ability to communicate with other smart home devices which enables a level of integration and automation previously unimaginable.For instance, smart locks can exchange information with video doorbells, allowing homeowners to set up automation scenarios where the door automatically unlocks upon recognizing a familiar face.While some users might find it convenient, others might consider it a security vulnerability that could lead to unauthorized access to the house.This study employs a mixed-methods approach to explore user perceptions of creating smart home automation scenarios involving smart locks.A total of 21 smart lock owners participated in the study.Each participant engaged in a hands-on activity, using pen and paper to conceptualize and articulate at least four smart home automation scenarios involving the smart lock.Following this creative task, participants completed an online survey to provide structured feedback on their own scenarios.Our analysis provides an overall understanding of how setting up such automation scenarios affects several aspects of the smart home environment such as security, convenience, and awareness.Additionally, our findings provide a general categorization of such automation scenarios based on the purposes they serve within the smart home as well as shed light on end users' perceived security or privacy advantages and disadvantages associated with setting up such automation scenarios.