COMMERCIAL SAFETY & SECURITY
Mark Samuelson
AI and Facial Recognition Mark Samuelson , General Manager in Asia and Australia
One of the biggest changes I ’ ve seen in the industry throughout Asia Pacific , is the way Smart Lock systems are being integrated with gates and lifts . Visitors can often use card , or code , at various touchpoints . Codes and cards are gradually becoming more common than keys throughout Asia , and we ’ re starting to see fingerprint locks and facial recognition . There are countries in Asia where key cutting machines are simply not sold anymore – a clear sign of the way things are moving forward .
I think the advancement of facial recognition and biometrics in access control will escalate quickly . We ’ re already using facial recognition to unlock mobile phones and to permit and restrict access in buildings . In the future , we ’ ll use biometric security to access our home and places of work , and also to give us greater visibility and
‘ Codes and cards are gradually becoming more common than keys throughout Asia , and we ’ re starting to see fingerprint locks and facial recognition ’
‘ The rapid move to digital is driving demand for time-sensitive codes generated via our online Codelocks Connect portal or API – making access easy for our clients and their customers ’
control . For example , when your children arrive home , you ’ ll receive a notification , and you can then choose to activate the heating or the cooker . It ’ s not just the way we access a building that will change , but what happens once we ’ ve accessed it .
Internet of Things Matt Welty General Manager in the Americas
I think the biggest trend within the access control industry has been , and will continue to be , the Internet of Things ( IoT ). Smart Locks have driven growth for Codelocks , particularly in short term rental markets , and we are seeing their use expand outside accommodation access . People are getting used to renting , rather than owning things – like a bicycle store or a locker to charge a mobile phone .
Access control innovations will continue to evolve , integrating with technology that customers are familiar with using such as mobile phones and biometrics . We ’ re already seeing how using mobile phones to open Smart Locks can make life easier . Most phones have fingerprint and facial recognition built in , adding a level of security now that we did not have five years ago .
With the growth of Smart Locks in particular , and IoT in general , I think we will see developments in terms of battery power and battery consumption . In recent years ambient light , power from a lever or low pulse technologies have all been ways to charge batteries . Battery technology is ripe for innovation , and a lot of research is going into it right now .
In the future there will be more examples of different technologies and platforms coming together . For example , employees might have one mobile app
Matt Welty
‘ Battery technology is ripe for innovation , and a lot of research is going into it right now ’
for work that enables them to access the building , pay for a coffee and chat with a colleague – smart workplaces . This usability will continue to evolve in the marketplace . The challenge is going to be utilising new technology where it makes sense to , but not get carried away using technology just for the sake of it – it is value that customers will appreciate .
Final Thoughts
The pace of digital transformation has stepped up dramatically over the past year , and keeping pace is more important than ever . Smart access control solutions are set to play a key role in transforming the workplace , as well as the hospitality sector . A solution that allows you evolve in the marketplace , adjust to your customers ’ needs , and reduce the need for physical contact in a post-pandemic world is certainly a worthwhile investment .
www . codelocks . co . uk
NOV / DEC 2021
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