Commtel Innovate has confirmed it is to put the Smart Bell doorbell, invented by 13-year-old Laurence Rook, into full production this July.
The device, which has been featured in the Mail on Sunday, BBC News, and the One Show in the past week, is a doorbell that calls the homeowners mobile phone when they are not in the house, allowing them to speak directly to whoever's at the door.
Commtel Innovate's commercial director Andy Gannon, told DIY Week that the company, which has exclusive distribution rights for the Smart Bell in the UK and Europe, expected it to be on shelf by September this year with an rrp of £40-£60. He also confirmed that Dixons has already placed an order for the Smart Bell.
The unit includes a Sim card, which makes the call if the door is not answered within eight seconds of the doorbell being rung. It means that homeowners can orchestrate deliveries even when they are not at home and deter opportunistic burglars by making them think there's someone is in the house. It even means homeowners who don't hear their doorbell if they're outside this summer, will get the call letting them know there's someone at the door.
The Surrey teenager first came up with the idea as part of a Dragon's Den-style competition at his Croydon school. Family friend, and fellow inventor, Paula Ward was so impressed with the idea she had the prototype made in the Far East.