The Server-Connected House: myQ Extends the Smart Home to the Garage by Giving Users Complete Control Over Accessibility

TL; DR: Homeowners can now monitor one of their server-connected home’s busiest access points — the garage — with the myQ device and app. Users can easily allow guests, service providers, or Amazon deliveries into their garage from anywhere with their smartphone. myQ users can also see if they accidentally forgot to close their garage door from the app instead of having to call the neighbors or turn around on the way to work. Active families can have peace of mind about their valuables, know when their kids get home, and receive important deliveries even while away.

Colin was traveling through Sydney, Australia, when he got a call from Tucson, Arizona. It had entirely slipped his mind that he had scheduled work on his pool, and the service technicians at his house couldn’t repair the pool because they were missing the piece that had broken.

Colin knew the part was sitting in the garage, but he was on the opposite side of the world. Fortunately, he had installed myQ. The device and wifi-connected app enabled him to open his garage door and allow the technician to successfully finish the job in Tucson while he was still in Australia. The technician hadn’t seen that before.

Many myQ users have similar stories. They have been able to continue golf games or important business meetings without worrying that their valuables are exposed because they happen to leave the garage door open. Others have ensured their high school kids got home when they promised even while working a late night or enjoying a date night.

“Our target customers are busy families or couples with active lifestyles,” said Jackie Lorenty, Senior VP and General Manager for Residential Sales at CGI, a global leader in access control solutions with its Chamberlain and LiftMaster garage door opener brands and myQ connected technology. “They’re looking for ways that they can use the myQ app to bring peace of mind and have control over everything that comes with their busy day.”

myQ expands the server-connected home to incorporate the garage, the busiest access point in most homes. Not only can users ensure they closed the garage after they arrive at work, but they can also allow Amazon to deliver valuable items inside to ensure they stay safe and out of the elements. There is even the option to add a video camera to the garage door system so users can know exactly who’s coming in and out.

Remembering to close the garage door can be difficult when your toddler is crying, or you’re already late for work. But with myQ, users can keep up with their busy pace of life while knowing their home is both secure and accessible. As the server-connected home becomes more popular, myQ provides an added level of control.

myQ is a subsidiary of the Chamberlain Group (CGI), which has operated since 1954. The group owns Chamberlain, Liftmaster, Merlin, and Grifco. Those brands are well established in the residential garage, commercial door operators, and gate entry systems markets. And myQ is already deeply embedded in the durable goods and home access industry.

“myQ has been around since 2011,” Jackie said. “It was first developed for the question that is often thought about when you think of your garage door when you’re driving away from home — did you remember to close it? Since then, we’ve gained millions of customers who use myQ to control, secure, and monitor the garage, the busiest access point of their residence.”

Over the years the company has also built on that original value proposition with a found understanding that homeowners want much more in terms of secure access to the home.

“If you think of the smart home space, you don’t immediately think of the garage,” Jackie said. “But we’ve been transforming from a durable goods company into a technology company. We are the global leader in access control solutions, and we have a rich history in terms of innovation and safety.”

Many tech startups create one innovative app or piece of software but can’t find penetration into larger, more established markets. But myQ was created by a company that already knew its market, and it has quickly scaled to integrate with other products.

One of its most significant steps has been a partnership with Amazon to allow in-garage deliveries, one of myQ’s most convenient features. The typical startup doesn’t have the leverage to partner with such large companies, so they often can’t scale the product to meet demand. But myQ has processes in place that have been tested and proven over time.

In 2019, myQ announced a partnership with Amazon Key. That service allows Amazon Prime members who use the myQ app to allow Amazon delivery drivers to leave their deliveries in their garages without anyone needing to be home.

“We’ve already had over a million successful deliveries since the partnership began. If you follow ratings, we have a 4.8 customer star rating, so myQ users love using in-garage deliveries. I use it all the time,” Jackie said. “It’s free for any Amazon Prime member, and it also protects your packages if you’ve ever had challenges with theft or water damage. It’s so convenient for your package to be placed safely inside your garage until you’re ready to get it.”

Some new technologies create fresh stress because users are expected to be more productive and efficient while using them. But myQ is unique in that it takes away stress and offers convenience and peace of mind. Its interface is also intuitive, so anyone can use the app.

But the opportunities don’t end with deliveries. If homeowners expect a guest to arrive while they’re at work, it is now no problem. Through the myQ app, they can quickly allow guests into their house. That means it’s much less important for one person’s busy schedule to align perfectly with others.

A dog walker can have access to the house once without having access to the house permanently. The same goes for someone who cleans the house or a neighbor who needs to borrow a tool. And myQ even has a function to close the door at a specified time of day, like in the evening, to further ensure the house is safe.

We’re still in the early days of the server-connected home, and consumers can expect to see plenty of innovation from CGI. And myQ is planning to expand the way people interact with other entry points.

“We are going to expand how you can secure access points in the home and beyond and provide more convenience and peace of mind around that access,” Jackie said. “We’ll be building upon guest access and service event management and delivery services. We’re also planning on expanding into pet access.”

myQ has already evolved from informing people whether they left the garage door open or closed to allowing Amazon deliveries and guests in with their smartphone. From service technicians to handymen to dog walkers, myQ provides access to the people users want in while keeping others out.

It’s hard to know what the future holds, but it’s clear with myQ that the server-connected home will expand past the home’s traditional borders, beginning with the garage.