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Ryobi opens the door for modular, app-connected garages

Ryobi opens the door for modular, app-connected garages
The Ryobi Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener can be kitted out to make your garage safe, or give it its own soundtrack
The Ryobi Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener can be kitted out to make your garage safe, or give it its own soundtrack
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The Ryomi door opener includes a wireless keypad and controller
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The Ryomi door opener includes a wireless keypad and controller
The Ryobi garage door opener is fully kitted out with modular capabilities
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The Ryobi garage door opener is fully kitted out with modular capabilities
There's a safety sensor included in $248 asking price
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There's a safety sensor included in $248 asking price
Fans, sensors and speakers can be added to the modular door opener
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Fans, sensors and speakers can be added to the modular door opener
A hanging, retractable cord coiler should help minimize garage clutter
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A hanging, retractable cord coiler should help minimize garage clutter
There's also a motion activated LED light, which Ryobi claims will last the life of the opener unit
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There's also a motion activated LED light, which Ryobi claims will last the life of the opener unit
Ryobi's battery pack can be added for backup power
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Ryobi's battery pack can be added for backup power
The Ryobi Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener can be kitted out to make your garage safe, or give it its own soundtrack
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The Ryobi Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener can be kitted out to make your garage safe, or give it its own soundtrack
View gallery - 8 images

Ryobi, best known for its power tools, has given its new motorized garage door opener added functionality thanks to modular design and app-connected smarts. The Ultra Quiet Garage Door Opener can also serve as a carbon monoxide sensor, wireless speaker, cooling fan or parking assistant if you're open to mixing and matching the brand's plug-and-play modules.

The Ultra Quiet Garage Door Opener (UQGDO) is claimed 20 percent quieter than the leading garage door openers and further sets itself apart from the pack with its modular design. If you're not confident in your parking ability, the UQGDO can be fitted with park assist system which uses two class-6 lasers to mark when it's time to stop. If you're the sort of person who likes hiding from the world and working in your garage, you can also add a Bluetooth speaker to the base opener unit, as well as a cooling fan and retractable cord reel, which gives you neat access to a power cord regardless of how much clutter is lining the floor.

There's even a carbon monoxide sensor available for people concerned about being overwhelmed by the gas in an enclosed space, and if you've attached a lithium-ion backup battery, the door can even be opened up to 100 times in a power outage.

Ryobi's battery pack can be added for backup power
Ryobi's battery pack can be added for backup power

All these features are nice, but they offer little comfort to paranoid homeowners who can't remember whether they shut the door on the way out. Thankfully, the UQGDO can be connected to a home Wi-Fi network and paired with an iOS/Android mobile app allowing you to check how long the door has been open or shut while on the move, as well as letting you know how much charge the backup battery has. If the carbon monoxide sensor is attached, the app will also warn you if the gas level gets too high.

It might be smarter than your average door opener, but that doesn't mean Ryobi has skimped on the basics. That means there's a 2 hp motor for quick operation, and it's connected to a steel reinforced belt drive for long-lasting, reliable garage action. There's also a motion activated LED light, which Ryobi claims will last the life of the opener unit.

The Ryobi Ultra Quiet Door Opener retails for US$248, and includes a wall controller, wireless keypad, two remotes and a safety sensor to make sure Indiana Jones doesn't lose an arm reaching as he grabs his hat from under a fast closing door. Pricing for the plug-in accessories starts at $44.

A video outlining the unit's capabilities is below.

Source: Ryobi

View gallery - 8 images
5 comments
5 comments
PlanetPapi
Now this is called smart thinking. A lowly garage door opener that we don't even think in any aspect other than closing and opening. Now someone put their heads together and made it more than closing and opening? Genius. A modular design? Even more genius. But how do I get rid of my humble current garage door opener? That means it's for new home owners. I envy those guys now.
RobertCardiff
If this is like any other Ryobiproducts I have owners it won't last past six months.
ScottWright
Curious about the quality of the drive gear and logic board. All the hype means nothing if the repairs are super expensive. Anyone take it apart and look at the inside? Where do you get replacement parts? Never said if it's AC or DC motor. I'd like to see a more technical review.
Catlincarpentry
I have installed quite a few openers in my day. I got this one for Fathers Day this year. I recommend it highly! It is a bit heavier then any other ones I have installed, and even more so with the attachments. Make sure it is mounted solid on the joists! It is wicked quiet and powerful! Looks awesome too! The only downside I'm having is the phone app connecting to the wifi! I will figure it out. I give it an 9 out of 10!
Gizmowiz
Doesn't do you any good if your garage door requires a shaft drive opener like you can get from Liftmaster 8500. Typical garage doors lose a lot of space in a garage for storage when your required to put in a low setting elongated chain or belt drive in the middle of the door. I prefer to use that area for storage but you can't with those stupid old fashioned door openers. Get a shaft drive instead!