A Look at the Latest Automatic Door Tech in 2023

According to various sources, including Research And Markets, since the Covid-19 pandemic, the global automatic door market and subsequent new technology, grew considerably in the rush for hands-free opening solutions.

Now, with the pandemic behind us, in 2023 many businesses, are still investing hugely in automatic doors and new automatic door technology, and reaping the benefits these wonderful devices provide.

In this article, we look at some of the new automatic door innovations businesses across various sectors are investing in, and the types of benefits they're gaining for the business as a result of the installation.

Touchless Sensors

Although touchless sensors have been around for a while, the technology continues to advance in 2023, and some touchless sensors are now able to read certain gestures or voice tones, before allowing or denying access.

But, to create the more basic forms of touchless entry for electric sliding doors etc., touchless sensors work in numerous and inventive ways, and are therefore divided into various different types, including -

• Pressure Sensors: This type of touchless sensor works by detecting the weight of a person or object as they approach the automatic door, then sending the appropriate signal to the control unit to allow the door or doors to open.
• Infrared Sensors: Infrared sensors work by using infrared technology to detect changes in temperature at the automatic door, and the surrounding area, then use that information to trigger the opening and closing mechanism of the door.
• Optical Sensors and Motion Detectors: As the name suggests, these types of touchless sensor work by detecting motion at the automatic door. They work using microwave beams which send the message to open or close the door to a control unit.

Benefits of touchless sensors to businesses

Two of the main benefits businesses are seeing by installing automatic doors with touchless sensors include -

• Savings on heating and air conditioning costs, due to doors not being left open when not in use.
• Easier and safer access for customers and staff, especially those requiring wheelchair access.

Remote access control

Controlling who and when someone can enter a commercial property is essential for many different businesses, and was especially important when government restrictions were enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023 access control system advancements are being driven by various technologies, including cloud technology, AI technology, and technology using biometrics, such as fingerprint and retina recognition.
Below we've listed some of the most widely used modern access control systems, as well as the key benefits these devices bring to businesses of all types, and across a variety of sectors, including retail, construction and leisure.

Key Cards and FOBs

Key Cards and FOBs are perhaps one of the most common, modern remote access control systems businesses use, due to their convenience, and the fact that many devices can support up to and beyond 50-1000 users.

Although to the end user, the method of using each device is similar, in the fact that it's a keyless entry system that requires certain credentials, the two systems, key cards and FOBs, do have distinct differences.

• FOBs - FOBs, also called 'key' FOBs, are security devices small enough to attach to a keyring. The FOB is programmed with the user's credentials so that when it's waved in front of a proximity reader access is authorised or denied.
• Key Cards - Similar to a FOB, a key card will be programmed with the end user's credentials so that when it's tapped, scanned or swiped against or through a card reader, access can be authorised or denied.

Why are businesses using key cards and FOBs for access control?

The main reasons businesses across varied sectors are using key cards and FOBs is due to -

• The security factor - One of the main security features of both key cards and FOBs is that they can be instantly disabled in the event of loss or theft, or when an employee leaves the organisation.
• The reliability - Card readers and proximity readers are designed to be hardwearing, and as a result, most are extremely reliable and mostly maintenance-free, meaning that businesses don't suffer regular downtime.
• The ease of use - Key cards and FOBs require very little instructions; giving employees, visitors, or residents a simple method of access, and employers or property owners, a simple method of controlling access.

Touchless doors with Smart Connectivity

In 2023 key cards and FOBs are still one of the most widely used methods of remote access control. But, with the recent innovations in Smart Connectivity, businesses are now opting for door entry systems that utilise Smartphones.

Using Bluetooth or NFC (Near Field Communication), readers capable of interacting with Smartphones are being installed in commercial premises across the globe, so that users can simply open an app and scan their phone to gain access.

Why are businesses using Smart Connectivity for commercial automatic entry doors?

With smartphone ownership estimated to be around 6.84 billion worldwide, it's not difficult to see why Smart Connectivity is now routinely used by businesses around the world with various devices, including access control systems.

But, it's not just the prevalence of smartphones driving the use of the technology, as Smart Connectivity also offers commercial businesses and organisations a range of other key benefits, including -

• More security - Simply put, people tend to guard their smartphones more closely than a key card or FOB, so are more unlikely to lose them, and smartphones are generally password or fingerprint protected, which adds another level to security outside of the organisation's responsibility.
• Scalability - Because Smart Connectivity is cloud-based, companies are able to scale up or down/offboard and onboard as quick as they need - a vital benefit and necessity to many businesses, particularly larger organisations dealing with a high number of end users.
• Easy integration with existing databases - Because many employees already have their smartphones connected to existing/company databases, access control systems can be automatically synced to provide the necessary credentials when required.

Biometric access control systems

Another form of automatic door technology advancing throughout businesses in 2023 is biometric access control i.e. using physical features, such as retinas, palms, fingerprints or voices to grant or gain access.

A typical biometric access control system will involve a scanner at the door which will convert your fingerprint, palmprint, retina image, or voice tones into machine readable data to operate the doors' opening and closing mechanism.

Although biometric access control systems are rapidly improving, it still has specific vulnerabilities, and in some high-security environments, they may be used in conjunction with other access control solutions.

Why are businesses investing in biometric access control systems?

Despite the possible vulnerabilities mentioned above, businesses throughout the world are adopting biometric access control technology for sensor doors, largely due to benefits including -

• Fewer device requirements - With a biometric access control system, the person always holds the necessary credentials, so businesses have no need to issue key cards, FOBs, or any other devices that may eat into company budgets.
• Easy to use - For an end user, using a biometric access control system couldn't be simpler, and because it doesn't require the use of FOBs or key cards, entry is swifter, therefore saving time and improving efficiency overall.
• Better security - As biometric readers are extremely difficult to breach, and end users have no physical credentials to lose or get stolen etc., security for the business premises is automatically improved.

Automatic Doors in Milton Keynes

If you're looking to install automatic doors or power-assisted doors for your commercial premises, contact Reactive Doors to book your free site survey.