Safety and security technology is no longer just about locks, guards, and CCTV. It’s about intelligence - systems that not only detect but interpret, react, and communicate. Across homes, cities, and critical infrastructure, security systems are evolving into smart ecosystems driven by sensors, artificial intelligence, and mechatronic design. Here are 28 companies and their products that are changing the way the built environment serves and protects.
From cameras that understand context to lighting that responds dynamically in emergencies, the integration of digital technology with traditional security hardware is reshaping how we defend and protect. At the heart of this transformation is a convergence of hardware, sensors, software, and networked intelligence, that are increasingly turning passive systems into proactive guardians of safety.
What powers these advanced systems?
The magic behind these smart security and safety solutions lies in the integration of sophisticated technologies
1. Smart Eyes (Advanced Imaging): High-resolution cameras combined with artificial intelligence can now see, understand, and alert us to potential dangers. These integrated SoCs (systems on chip) fuse precision optics with edge-computing accelerators that can pinpoint and classify objects, track sub-millimeter movement, and even interpret behavioural patterns on the fly.
2. Seeing in 3D (LiDAR Technology): Like giving security systems a detailed 3D map of their surroundings, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) provides precise spatial awareness for detecting intrusions and monitoring areas, bolstering physical security technology.
3. Lighting That Thinks: (Intelligent Illumination): Lighting technology is no longer just about visibility—it's about intelligence. In the realm of modern safety and security, lighting plays a dynamic and adaptive role, capable of reacting to changing environments in real time.
4. Faces and Fingerprints (Biometrics): From fingerprint scanners to facial recognition, biometric systems offer secure and convenient ways to control access, making traditional keys and cards increasingly obsolete. These access control systems are pivotal in preventing unauthorised access.
5. Moving Intelligence (Robotics): Autonomous robots are becoming powerful tools for surveillance, inspection, and rapid response, extending our reach and providing real-time information, thereby enhancing security operations.
6. Secure Entry (Smart Locks & Access Control): Modern access control systems go beyond simple locks, integrating digital and biometric credentials, wireless communication, and smartphone access for enhanced hardware security and convenience.
7. Early Warning Systems (Smart Detection): Intelligent sensors can now detect smoke, gas leaks, and abnormal heat signatures, providing crucial early warnings and contributing to comprehensive security measures.
8. Automated Response (Smart Suppression & Egress): Integrated systems can automatically activate fire suppression and guide occupants to safety during emergencies
9. System integration (Mechatronics): Combining mechanics, electronics, and software, mechatronic expertise enables smart, responsive security systems that elevate both physical and cybersecurity capabilities.
Throughout modern buildings connected systems are enabling seamless access control while predicting, preventing and managing different kinds of risk in real time:
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28 products changing the world of building automation
Here are 28 products from companies spearheading and making innovation accessible across different verticals in the building automation sector.
1. Yale Linus® Smart Lock L2: This internal smart lock offers keyless access via smartphone, keypad, or key tag. It provides remote control, activity logging, and integrates with voice assistants.
2. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: Known for its easy installation over existing deadbolts, it allows for remote access, guest key management, and integrates with various smart home platforms.
3. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt: Provides built-in Wi-Fi for direct remote access, offering key code, smartphone app, and voice assistant control, with activity history and temporary codes.
4. Ultion Smart combines high-security cylinder technology with smart functionality. It offers key, fingerprint, keypad, and smartphone access and integrates with popular smart home systems.
5. Axis Communications Object Analytics: Transforms cameras into real-time analytic devices using on-site processing to identify and categorise object
reducing false alarms and providing targeted alerts.
6. Hikvision AcuSense Technology: Focuses on differentiating humans and vehicles from other objects to significantly reduce false alarms caused by environmental factors.
7. Dahua TiOC (Three-in-One Camera): Integrates 24/24 colour monitoring, active deterrence (siren and light), and AI detection for a proactive surveillance solution.
8. Arlo Ultra 4K UHD Security Camera: Offers high-resolution 4K video, integrated spotlight and siren, and AI-powered object detection for home security.
9. Optex REDSCAN Pro Series: Uses LiDAR to create a virtual detection wall or field, accurately measuring distance and movement to discern between genuine threats and environmental factors, ideal for high-security perimeters.
10. Dormakaba MorphoWave SPX Contactless Biometric Reader: This reader enables touchless and rapid 3D fingerprint verification by simply waving a hand, providing seamless yet highly secure entry for high-traffic areas.
Dormakaba biometric reader 91 50
11. HIDID Global pivCLASS Readers: Offers biometric readers and solutions compliant with PIV standards, often used in government and high-security environments for fingerprint and iris recognition.
12. Suprema FaceStation F2: A facial recognition terminal combining visible light and infrared imaging for accurate and secure authentication, even in varying lighting conditions.
13. Idemia Sigma Lite: A compact fingerprint reader designed for indoor and outdoor use, providing fast and reliable fingerprint authentication for various access control applications.
14. Knightscope K5 Autonomous Robot: An autonomous security robot that fuses LiDAR navigation, thermal imaging, 360° video, and acoustic anomaly detection to patrol and spot anomalies, serving as both a surveillance tool and a deterrent.%20(1).webp?width=1200&height=600&name=657264bf9604dd1bebeb4cef_Manufacturing%20(1)%20(1).webp)
15. Parklio Barrier: A smart parking barrier often controlled via a smartphone app, allowing remote operation, scheduling, and integration with parking management systems.
16. Automatic Systems BL 44: Designed for intensive use in parking, offering fast operation and integration with various access control methods like ANPR, RFID, and ticketing systems.
17. CAME Gard GT Series: An automatic barrier system offering advanced features like integrated lighting, safety edges, and compatibility with access control and parking management systems.
18. ATG Shallow Mount Bollards: Designed to counter terrorist threats, these bollards provide uncompromising perimeter security with minimal foundation depth, ideal for urban areas with complex underground infrastructure. They leverage a mechatronic lifting system for automated deployment and integrate with intelligent sensors and access control systems..webp?width=1200&height=600&name=B0023-78-scaled%20(2).webp)
19. MSA Ultima X5000 Gas Monitor: Engineered for precision gas detection in demanding environments, combining high-performance sensing with intelligent diagnostics, dual-sensor support, and mobile connectivity for reliable, always-on protection.
20. Sinteso from Siemens: Unifies multi-sensor detectors, intelligent panels and suppression actuators in a cloud-monitored loop. This ground breaking system merging mechanics, electronics and software for rapid, false-free detection, targeted evacuation and asset-friendly fire control.
21. Plumis Automist Smartscan®: A water mist suppression system that targets fires with a fine water spray activated by smart detection, offering an efficient alternative to traditional sprinklers with less water usage.
22. Viking Group - Deluge and Preaction Systems with Smart Controls: Offers systems for areas where accidental discharge is a concern, equipped with smart control panels for monitoring and precise activation based on verified detection.
23. Eaton’s Dynamic Emergency Egress Systems: Uses connected luminaires that react dynamically to real-time danger, analysing escape routes and guiding occupants away from risks using addressable LED units that can change direction or messaging.
Adaptive Evacuation Control Unit
24. Legrand Emergency Lighting Systems: Offers emergency lighting that can integrate with connected systems for remote monitoring, testing, and control, ensuring compliance and readiness.
25. Zicom Intelligent Emergency Evacuation System: Integrates with fire alarms and building systems to provide automated voice evacuation messages and coordinated emergency lighting control for safer egress.
26. Honeywell Building Management Systems: Provides comprehensive systems that integrate fire and security alarms for centralised monitoring, control, and targeted notification of occupants and emergency services.
27. Siemens Cerberus PRO Fire Alarm System: An intelligent fire alarm system using advanced detection and providing detailed information for faster, more effective response and targeted evacuation messages.%20(1).webp?width=1200&height=675&name=Overview-of-Sinteso-peripherals%20(1)%20(1).webp)
Siemens Cerberus PRO Fire Alarm System
28. Bosch Praesideo Public Address and Voice Alarm System: Often integrated with safety systems, provides clear voice messages for emergency evacuation and critical notifications, with pre-programmed or live options.
The integration of these smart security and safety systems is creating a more resilient and responsive built environment. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated and interconnected solutions to emerge, further enhancing our safety and peace of mind.
Who can help companies accelerate innovation?
Companies who are designing the future of building automation often need specialist help to bring their ambitious plans to life. Start-ups can need expert manufacturing support to productise their vision.
Even mature corporations may still need access to cutting edge sensor technology combined with mechatronic assembly skills to bring their product to market faster. In either case, the need to value engineer designs and outsource production can be pressing.
With complex electro-mechanical projects spanning different disciplines, the search for partners who can assist with prototyping, DfX, assembly and large scale logisitics can make the difference between a product that is commercially unviable and one that changes the world.
Conclusion
Smart security and safety tech isn't just digital—it's physical. Mechatronic systems powered by embedded electronics and IoT connectivity allow devices in the built environment, such as CCTV, turnstiles, bollards, smoke detectors, locking mechanisms, to operate as part of an intelligent whole. These integrated systems enhance both physical security and safety, ensuring protection against a wide range of threats, from unauthorised access to 'acts of god' and malicious attacks.
