In logistics, knowing who unlocked your cargo is important—but knowing who locked it back is critical.
In Germany, about 26,000 trucks have been stolen every year, which means that every 20 minuets a truckload is stolen. Some smart padlocks has long supported unlocking via RFID authentication. But here’s the catch: locking was manual and open. Anyone could snap the padlock shut. While convenient, this raised some serious issues around cargo security and accountability, especially in high-value or high-risk transport chains.
The Challenge: Who Locked It?
In multiple cases reported on freight and insurance forums:
- Companies lost $50,000–$100,000 worth of cargo because it was relocked improperly—or never relocked—after a delivery.
- Drivers and logistics firms disputed responsibility, and some insurance companies refused to pay, claiming improper lock handling voided coverage.
When anyone can relock a padlock—without RFID verification—cargo is vulnerable, and accountability becomes impossible to enforce.
The Solution: RFID-Required Locking Now Available on SolarGuardX 110
To fix this gap, the SolarGuardX 110 has just rolled out a major firmware update for select clients:
🔐 Locking now requires the same RFID authentication as unlocking.
That’s right—no more anonymous relocking. Only authorized personnel with registered RFID cards or authorized remote command on Platform or APP can both unlock and lock the device.
How It Works
It’s refreshingly simple:
- Tap the RFID card once — unlock the padlock.
- Perform the necessary delivery or inspection.
- Tap the same RFID card again — the padlock now securely relocks.
The entire action is logged, timestamped, and traceable if connected to a central tracking platform.
New RFID-to-Lock Feature: Closing the Accountability Gap
| Metric | Before (Manual Lock) | After (RFID-to-Lock Enabled) |
|---|---|---|
| Re-locking | Anyone can lock | Only RFID-authorized users |
| Traceability | Only unlock events are logged | Unlock + re-lock are both logged |
| Security risk | Unverified relocking = vulnerability | Secure, verified end-to-end |
| Liability clarity | Disputes common | Clear, user-stamped records |
| Insurance alignment | Higher risk | Easier claims and audits |
Ready to Upgrade?
If you’re already using the SolarGuardX 110, contact our team to check firmware compatibility for enabling the RFID-to-lock function.
Not a customer yet? Let’s talk. With SolarGuardX, we don’t just help you track your assets—we help you take control of security, from terminal to cloud.
