Insights and Inspiration from
the World of Access
As our societies are embracing Industry 4.0, everything is getting digitized and automated. It’s now possible to perform an increasing number of daily activities — anything from our jobs, education, and even many of our hobbies — online. Unfortunately, the same goes for criminals: Cybercrime is on the rise, and it’s expected to cost the world USD […]
Personal car ownership has defined many aspects of modern urban life as we know it. Without a doubt, cars can bring great convenience, comfort, individual freedom, and opportunities to their owners. On the other hand, cars require an enormous amount of resources, both in terms of manufacturing and everyday use. In addition to being one of […]
Despite the historic decrease in traffic congestion in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, private car ownership is skyrocketing. The dynamics that exacerbate traffic congestion, longer wait times, or poorer air quality show no signs of slowing down. Thanks to the rising population and urbanization, traffic congestion will likely remain a major concern in most cities worldwide. Nevertheless, some urban areas […]
As our world moves towards Industry 4.0, manufacturing requires fewer resources in terms of raw materials, energy, and space. Hence, particularly in advanced economies, an increasing number of factories and industrial buildings are losing their relevance and lie abandoned. But especially given the sheer size of these vacant sites, can they still add value outside traditional […]
At a compound annual growth rate of 15 percent a year, face recognition is one of the fastest expanding markets in security technologies. The COVID-19 pandemic skyrocketed the importance and relevance of touch-free, frictionless experiences even further. Powered by this growth, face recognition technologies keep evolving, increasing their areas of use, accuracy, speed, and security. Despite the numerous benefits […]
Throughout history, diseases and pandemics always had a tendency to shape and inform the development of our built environment – and the COVID-19 pandemic was no exception. As the lockdowns forced millions of city dwellers worldwide to adapt to a hyper-local life for months at a time, an increasing number of urbanists started to understand the importance of accessibility […]
Dozens of buildings crumpled when a deadly earthquake hit Mexico City in 2017, but its gleaming Torre Reforma survived with just a few cracks. It's often said 'Earthquakes don't kill people, buildings do'.
While buildings fulfill the most basic human needs like shelter and security, architecture impacts the emotional state of any person who interacts with it. Whether it's intended or not, a building can provoke a range of emotions such as belonging, awe, fear, or hope.
While most of the buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) may seem new, the concept has been around for more than 60 years. American computer scientist John McCarthy, known as the "Father of AI," coined the term "artificial intelligence" in the 1950s, leading researchers across the United States to dig into the computer learning for processing equations and theorems.
Access control is what allows premises to choose who is authorized to enter when they are permitted entry, and even which zones they are allowed to visit. Dependent on the number of authorized persons, and the number of zones, there are a wide variety of options available to suit any set of security requirements.
Emergencies and accidents can strike anyone, anytime, and anywhere, including the workplace. The United States Department of Labor includes both natural and humanmade incidents as a workplace emergency.
Despite different architectural styles, histories, and locations, Westminster Abbey, Cathedrals of Milan and Cologne, the Palace of Alhambra, and Stonehenge have many things in common. They're all iconic landmarks visited by millions of people a year.
Tailgating, the passage of an unauthorized person behind authorized personnel, is one of the most common physical security breaches. Also known as “piggybacking", tailgating often results from a random act of kindness such as holding the door to a stranger.
Despite the growing appetite towards digital and high-tech entrance solutions, mechanical keys and locks remain the most popular market solutions due to their durability and affordability. Especially in residential settings, they're the most ubiquitous entrance methods and continue to record stable growth.
Buildings and construction are responsible for 39 percent of the carbon emissions in the world. Operational emissions, meaning the energy required to heat, cool, or light a building, account for 28 percent of overall emissions.
In facilities with high people flow such as restaurants, offices, or care homes, a closed door can be a hindrance in daily life. Especially following a hectic schedule, one might not always have a free hand to control a door. Even if they did, especially at a time when hand hygiene is a bigger priority than ever, people might be reluctant to touch a door.
Patient flow is the movement of people within a healthcare facility. As one of the most crucial parts of hospital design, a successful patient flow ensures that the hospital can provide the right care at the right time while minimizing any potential risk of transmission of diseases.
Recent technological developments in cloud computing have driven innovation in the security market, convincing companies of all sizes to switch from manual or electronic access control to cloud-based ones.