Bauer Products, a RV and trailer security solutions provider founded in 1958, recently announced the launch of the industry’s first RV smart lock based on Bluetooth Channel Sounding (BNS) technology — the Bauer NE-CS. This innovative Bluetooth solution sets a new standard for smart locks in the RV industry.
This marks the first commercial application of this technology in an RV door lock scenario. It signifies a major breakthrough for Bluetooth in high-security access and precise distance measurement.
Bauer stated that it has led the evolution of keyless entry technology for RVs for the past 15 years. Specifically, it moved from developing its own keyless solutions to fully adopting Bluetooth LE. The newly released NE-CS builds upon this foundation by introducing next-generation Bluetooth technology. As a result, it significantly enhances security while improving ease of use.
This technology allows consumers to customize the unlocking and locking distances. For example, it automatically unlocks when the phone is approximately 5 feet (about 1.52 meters) from the RV. It also automatically locks when the phone moves to within 25 feet (about 7.62 meters), thus balancing convenience and security without requiring additional operation. Clearly, Bluetooth is essential for this kind of dynamic access solution.
This product is a collaborative effort between onceLabs, Nordic Semiconductor, Raytac, and Metirionic, covering the entire chain from software and chips to modules and signal processing. All partners contributed expertise in Bluetooth integration. It will be demonstrated live with the Google Pixel 10 smartphone at CES.
Bluetooth channel detection was first proposed in 2018 by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG). It was officially incorporated into the Bluetooth 6.0 specification in June 2024, becoming a key capability for achieving high-precision distance sensing and secure access. Chuck Sabin, Vice President of Technology and Market Development at the Bluetooth SIG, stated that this technology brings secure and precise ranging capabilities to Bluetooth. Therefore, it opens up new possibilities for applications such as access control.
On the hardware level, Bauer continues to use Nordic Semiconductor’s wireless chip solution. The latest product is based on its ultra-low-power nRF54L15 SoC, which features a multi-protocol integrated design. This chip is compatible with mainstream IoT communication protocols such as Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4 and Thread/Matter. The SoC is also equipped with 1.5MB of NVM storage.
Raytac’s AN54LQ-15 series modules integrate this chip and combine it with Metirionic’s advanced channel sounding algorithm. Using Bluetooth, the lock can act as both the initiator and reflector of Channel Sounding. Thus, it further enhances system security and integrity. Metirionic’s MARS high-precision ranging software calculates the Channel Impulse Response (CIR). Therefore, it ensures reliable distance determination even in complex multipath environments.
Regarding commercialization, the Bauer NE-CS RV smart lock is planned for official launch in the RV market in Spring 2026, priced at $239.99 (approximately RMB 1730). For those interested in Bluetooth-enabled security, more product details will be announced later.