Forget keys, unlock your home with your THUMB: $179 door handle scans fingerprints to let owners in and keep criminals out

The battery-powered Ola lock (pictured) has been developed in Beijing. It is currently available for $159 (£102) on Kickstarter, and will then go on sale for $179 (£115) in May 2016

Smart locks have long promised to replace your keys with your phone, but the latest model takes this a step further. 

Ola is the first door handle with a built-in fingerprint scanner that opens simply by recognising the homeowner's thumbprint. 

It can also store the prints of friends and relatives, as well as give temporary access to certain people. 

Once a print is stored using the Ola app (pictured), it will then only open when that thumb is pressed against it. It can also store the prints of friends and relatives, as well as give temporary access to certain people

Mr Guo, from Beijing, China, added: 'There is no need to remove Ola to replace your batteries.

'To change the batteries, you only need to remove the back casing of Ola that is on the inside of your home. 

'This is very easy to do and all you need is two minutes and a screwdriver.'

The Ola lock is currently be available for $159 (£102.43) for those who back the project on Kickstarter, and will then go on sale for $179 (£115.32) in May 2016 and can be shipped internationally.