ASSA ABLOY is showing off its brand power this week here at Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2024 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., and unveiling its newest robotic access control solution through a partnership with Boston Dynamics -- a global leader in developing and deploying highly agile mobile Spot robots.
ASSA ABLOY gave a demo at their booth on Monday, introducing a new digital access solution that allows Spot security patrol robots to unlock and open access-controlled automated doors autonomously.
Angelo Faenza, head of Digital Access Solutions, ASSA ABLOY U.S., says the company is always excited to show of its newest technology at GSX.
“Like ISC West, GSX is incredibly valuable to us and all those attending,” Faenza says. “It’s a great way to connect with each other, see what’s new, or take another look and explore the benefits and details further. There’s always someone who is looking to solve a door or access control problem that we can help them with. In the past, we’ve closed some of our largest projects on the GSX floor. So, we’re always incredibly excited to participate and attend.”
‘Access for the Future’
Continuing the messaging from ISC West earlier this year, ASSA ABLOY’s theme for GSX is “Together, we create access for the future,” and the company is showcasing its complete range of door security solutions, from specialty doors and frames and intelligent access control locks to smart lockers, IP video door stations and facial identification.
Here are highlights of what’s on display this year:
- Adams Rite MS1950P Series MS Deadlock: The stainless steel MS1950P Series MS Deadlock utilizes a laminated stainless-steel bolt, now with enhanced security features, to provide maximum security for a single leaf narrow stile aluminum door.
- Ceco Door / Curries Adjustable EMI-RFI/STC 50 Shielding Assembly: The EMI-RFI Shielded Door Assembly reduces the possibility of electronic interference by blocking unwanted electromagnetic waves from interfering with other circuits or devices in healthcare, commercial, or government applications. EMI-RFI Shielding Solutions help ensure sensitive and confidential information is secure and contained. The EMI-RFI/STC 50 Shielding Assembly provides sound abatement up to STC 50 and EMI-RFI Shielding protection at 9 kHz-18 GHz and is third party tested per IEEE St. 299, ICD-705 (Group 3 and 4) and TEMPEST requirements.
- Control iD iDFace: iDFace is ideal for monitoring and controlling people entering and exiting a building with the use of facial identification technology. Offering a modern and ergonomically friendly design, iDFace provides exceptional convenience and ease of use with unmatched facial identification and authentication performance.
- Corbin Russwin / SARGENT IN100 Aperio Wireless Lock with Keypad: Now available with keypad for two-factor authentication, the IN100 allows facilities to leverage existing security infrastructure to expand their access control coverage more quickly, easily, and affordably. It combines the convenience and flexibility of wireless with the real-time communication of online access control, enabling remote lock or unlock in less than 10 seconds.
- Corbin Russwin / SARGENT Mortise Lock with Motorized Electric Latch Retraction (MELR): Mortise Locks are engineered to exceed industry standards with exceptional durability and access control for high-security environments. With rapid latch bolt retraction and enhanced accessibility features, these locks redefine intrusion standards, ensuring seamless operation and peace of mind.
- HES 9100 Series Surface Mounted Electric Strike: The HES 9100 Electric Strike for Tubular Vertical Rod Exit Devices introduces superior efficiency for single glass door applications. With its low-profile design, the 9100 ensures simplified retro-mounted installation, eliminating the need for frame alterations. Featuring adaptable voltage sensing technology and exceeding Grade 1 standards, the HES 9100 Electric Strike delivers exceptional versatility and durability, meeting UL outdoor rating requirements effortlessly.
- Medeco eCLIQ: The Medeco eCLIQ Spark Key represents the future of key technology, creating a new era of access control. The first battery-free eCLIQ key generates its own energy, ensuring power self-sufficiency for both key and cylinder. With advanced data encryption and manipulation protection, the Spark Key is a convenient, cost-effective security solution.
New Era of Robotic Access Control
During a press event on day one, ASSA ABLOY unveiled its newest access control solution and partnership with Boston Dynamics, showing off the Spot robots, which area well-known among security professionals for performing autonomous patrols of property perimeters such as fence lines, exterior doors, and other critical assets located outside buildings.
“As soon as Boston Dynamics presented us with the door access issue they were facing, we immediately jumped at the opportunity,” notes Faenza. “It’s such a natural fit and has been a thoroughly symbiotic and successful collaborative endeavor. Security solutions, after all, are what we’re all about. It’s always a pleasure and privilege to work with such an exciting technology innovator like Boston Dynamics.”
Equipped with PTZ industrial video camera, thermal, and audio sensor payloads, Spot robots provide continuous monitoring, streaming live data back to command centers, freeing up valuable personnel to focus on other vital security duties. Until now, however, the word “autonomous” didn’t apply to Spot’s ability to open access-controlled doors easily.
With embedded digital access credentials that communicate via Bluetooth with Signo readers from HID, an ASSA ABLOY Group brand, Spot can freely pass through compatible automated doors to patrol the exterior of facilities or to transit interior secured openings.
“Our partnership with ASSA ABLOY quickly resulted in the creation of a logical and practical solution to overcome what was originally a tricky problem,” says Tim Dykstra, director of Strategic Partnerships and Channel Sales for Boston Dynamics. “Today, ASSA ABLOY has made it incredibly easy for Spot to go where it needs to in order to perform its critical autonomous security patrols.”
In addition to security operations, the new autonomous digital access capability will also be available for Spot’s industrial inspection applications.
Growth Verticals
Looking at the strongest growth verticals, ASSA ABLOY continues to increase its work with schools.
“We continue to see growth in the education sector as K-12 schools focus on creating safer, more secure learning environments where unified solutions are enhancing the integration and effectiveness of access control technology, video surveillance, analytic software, and AI to better intercept potential trouble,” Faenza points out.
“Growth also continues at college campuses as universities address the growing demand for student housing and mobile credentials, their interest in the potential of facial identification, and the need for more and more smart locker systems.”
Visitor management access solutions and partitioning of sensitive areas in healthcare facilities is also increasingly critical, he says, and senior care and multifamily segments remain quite strong. In addition, condominium, apartment complex, and mixed-use development “continues at a steady pace due to the single-family housing inventory shortage, high prices, and high mortgage rates,” he adds.
Data centers are also a major focus for ASSA ABLOY.
“Their vital role in today’s connected world means security is of the utmost importance,” Faenza explains. “Consider the increased need for perimeter protection, hardened openings, specialty doors with EMI/RFI shielding, and discrete access control requirements, especially for colocation datacenters.”
The explosion in the number of data centers prompted the company “to create a cross-divisional task force to specifically focus on the needs of this vertical,” he adds. “We offer excellent solutions and products across all of ASSA ABLOY’s divisions that are well-designed for this category. For example, Ameristar is very active in this space with its attractive high security fence systems, bollards and engineered gate solutions for protecting perimeters.”
More Areas of Focus
As we finish out 2024 and look to 2025, newer product lines within ASSA ABLOY’s Door Security Solutions division include Luxer One smart lockers, which are being increasingly deployed on higher education campuses and office buildings as well.
“This is yet another application where secure and convenient door and access control solutions extend beyond traditional openings,” Faenza points out. “We also now offer DoorBird intelligent video intercom systems that fit so well into multifamily properties and integrate seamlessly with ASSA ABLOY ACCENTRA Access Control making user database management even easier. They are also ideal for K-12 schools.”
Control iD’s iDFace, a high-performance facial identification solution, is “getting noticed as a biometric credential especially by university and high school athletics departments where carrying keys, cards, or even mobile phones is impractical and less secure when needing to enter secured courts, fields, and stadium entrances,” Faenza explains. “It’s really opening up exciting, new conversations among a variety of people from consultants and channel partners to end users.”
Centrios, a new brand within the ASSA ABLOY family, is a unique solution designed from the ground up to deliver “radically simplified access control for the small and growing business market,” he adds. “Cloud-based, it features an easy-to-use Centrios mobile app that connects to Centrios smart readers and locks, which makes it seamless to set-up and manage employee and visitor access.”
The company’s newest acquisitions and additions “are a natural, logical fit, and complement our extensive line of openings solutions for our security customers,” Faenza asserts. “DoorBird, Control iD, Luxer One, Securitech, and others are prime examples of how mergers and acquisitions can be extraordinarily successful and useful. These unique products are creating a lot of excitement among customers as well as our sales teams.”
Company’s Security Outlook ‘Bullish’
Overall, ASSA ABLOY is bullish on the outlook for the security industry, which continues to show its resilience.
“We’re blessed to be in this industry,” says Faenza. “We continue to see growth where other industries like tech, finance, and insurance have seen layoffs. In comparison to the sectors going through layoffs, the door security solutions industry also has growth potential within its skilled labor pool. We feel there are some excellent opportunities ahead for those looking to get into such an interesting and vital industry as ours. HVAC, plumbing, and electrical aren’t the only trades that provide a good living and room for growth.
“And we have so many resources at ASSA ABLOY, including ASSA ABLOY Academy, to help people learn about products, codes, installation, and where this intriguing career path can take them. There are also associations as well as distributors and integrators that have started their own training programs to onboard talent. Many are also partnering with local vocational schools. So, the outlook is positive.”
As the needs for security and safety measures are constantly evolving, ASSA ABLOY is seeing a higher demand for more sophisticated electronic security solutions that offer greater convenience and ease of use such as mobile credentials.
“Building owners also want products and solutions that are easy to install and maintain whether it’s for new construction or retrofits,” Faenza explains. “The more secure and convenient a multifamily or office building is, the more marketable and attractive it is to its tenants.”
