git404hub

what is openaliro fr?

asxeem/openaliro — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-05-18

19CAudience · developerComplexity · 5/5LicenseSetup · hard

tl;dr

Firmware for a DIY smart lock that unlocks automatically via iPhone proximity (UWB) or an NFC tap.

vibe map

mindmap
  root((openaliro))
    What it does
      UWB proximity unlock
      NFC tap unlock
      Replay resistant ranging
    Tech stack
      C firmware
      nRF5340 or ESP32-S3
      Qorvo DW3110
    Use cases
      DIY smart lock
      Home Assistant integration
      UWB ranging prototyping
    Audience
      Embedded hobbyists
      Firmware engineers
      Smart home builders

Code map

Detail Auto

An interactive map of this repo's files and how they connect — its source is parsed live in your browser. Click Visualize to build it.

filefunction / class

what do people make with this?

VIBE 1

Build a DIY smart lock that unlocks as your iPhone approaches the door.

VIBE 2

Add tap to unlock support for iPhone or Apple Watch using NFC Express Mode.

VIBE 3

Prototype ultra wideband distance ranging on Nordic or Espressif hardware.

VIBE 4

Integrate a homemade Aliro lock into Home Assistant via Matter or MQTT.

what's the stack?

CnRF5340ESP32-S3Qorvo DW3110Matter

how it stacks up fr

asxeem/openalirohaouo/dae-pipeline-cpularsxschneider/ivoxel
Stars191919
LanguageCCC
Last pushed2013-08-11
MaintenanceDormant
Setup difficultyhardhardhard
Complexity5/54/54/5
Audiencedeveloperresearcherdeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

how do i run it?

Difficulty · hard time til it works · 1day+

Requires specific development boards, a Qorvo UWB radio module, and toolchains like ESP-IDF or the Nordic NCS SDK.

Source available: the code can be viewed, but it is not released under a standard permissive or copyleft open source license.

in plain english

openaliro is firmware for building a smart door lock that unlocks using an iPhone or Apple Watch, based on a standard called Aliro. As you walk up to the door with your phone in your pocket, the lock measures the exact distance to your phone using ultra wideband radio, and unlocks automatically as you get close, then relocks again once you walk away. You can also just tap your phone or watch to the reader instead of waiting for it, similar to how tap to pay works, and none of this requires opening an app or pressing a button on your phone. The project runs on real hardware rather than being a simulation, and supports two different microcontroller chips, a Nordic nRF5340 and an Espressif ESP32-S3, both paired with a Qorvo ultra wideband radio chip. For added security, the distance measurement is tied to your specific digital key, so someone cannot simply record and replay the unlock signal to fool the lock. Notably, the whole secure ranging system runs as firmware code on the radio chip itself rather than needing a separate specialized coprocessor. Setting this up requires actual electronic hardware, specifically a development board plus a UWB radio module, and for one of the two supported boards, an NFC reader module as well. The project provides build commands for flashing the firmware to either supported board, along with a way to run its test suite on a regular computer without any hardware attached at all. There is also an optional integration that connects the lock to Home Assistant, a home automation system, over Matter or MQTT. This is aimed at hobbyists and engineers comfortable with embedded hardware and firmware development who want to build their own Apple-compatible smart lock. The license is described as source available rather than a standard open source license.

prompts (copy fr)

prompt 1
Help me choose between the nRF5340 DK and ESP32-S3 targets for building openaliro.
prompt 2
Explain how openaliro's ultra wideband ranging prevents a replayed unlock signal.
prompt 3
Walk me through wiring the DW3110 UWB radio and NFC reader to the nRF5340 DK.
prompt 4
Show me how to run openaliro's host test suite without any hardware connected.

Frequently asked questions

what is openaliro fr?

Firmware for a DIY smart lock that unlocks automatically via iPhone proximity (UWB) or an NFC tap.

What language is openaliro written in?

Mainly C. The stack also includes C, nRF5340, ESP32-S3.

What license does openaliro use?

Source available: the code can be viewed, but it is not released under a standard permissive or copyleft open source license.

How hard is openaliro to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated hard, with roughly 1day+ to a first successful run.

Who is openaliro for?

Mainly developer.

peek the repo → explain another one

This repo across BitVibe Labs

double-check against the repo, no cap.