A Comprehensive Overview of Mainstream Biometric Recognition Methods for Smart Locks
Currently, the biometric recognition technology applied to smart door locks has developed into a stable technical system.
According to the 2025 monitoring data from RUNTO, on mainstream e-commerce platforms, the sales penetration rate of fingerprint recognition technology has reached as high as 95.7%, maintaining an absolutely dominant position. As high-end solutions, 3D facial recognition and vein recognition have seen their penetration rates rise to 34.1% and 13.6% respectively, among which the penetration rate of palm vein technology in new products has exceeded 40%. This indicates that the market is evolving from a single-technology era to a stage where "mainstream mature technologies" and "high-end integrated solutions" advance side by side.
To present the core features of current mainstream technologies more clearly, the following is a comparative analysis of the three key technologies:
Fingerprint Recognition:
Core Principle & Features
Collects epidermis or dermis ridge patterns via semiconductor capacitive sensing or optical imaging.
AI algorithms are now used to solve recognition difficulties caused by wear, seasonal changes, etc.
Main Advantages
Most mature technology; Low cost; Small module size; Fast recognition speed (premium solutions can achieve <0.5s).
Main Technical Challenges/ Disadvantages
Unfriendly to groups with unclear fingerprints (e.g., the elderly, children); recognition affected by wet hands, stains, or epidermis wear; risk of high-fidelity fingerprint mold cracking (relying on algorithm defense).
Current Market Position & Trends
Absolute mainstream and basic configuration in the market.
Development direction: AI algorithm optimization to improve acceptance rate and adaptability to special groups.
3D Facial Recognition:
Core Principle & Features
Uses 3D structured light, ToF (Time of Flight), or binocular stereo vision technology to capture facial depth information and build 3D models.
Main Advantages
Contactless recognition for convenient user experience (especially when holding objects with both hands); Long recognition distance & fast speed; 3D technology effectively defends against 2D attacks (e.g., photos, videos).
Main Technical Challenges/ Disadvantages
Interference from extreme light (e.g., strong backlight); restrictions on height/recognition angle; Potential risk of high-precision 3D head model attacks; privacy concerns among some users.
Current Market Position & Trends
Core solution for high-end markets.
Trend: Combine with AI dynamic learning algorithms to improve recognition pass rate under different lighting, makeup, and age changes.
Vein Recognition:
Core Principle & Features
Uses the absorption characteristics of hemoglobin (under the fingerprint/ palm vein skin) for specific near-infrared wavelengths to form vascular images for recognition.
Main Advantages
High security (it is an in-vivo biometric feature, extremely difficult to forge); Contactless; Not affected by epidermis conditions, friendly to special groups.
Main Technical Challenges/ Disadvantages
High cost; Early fingerprint vein recognition requires precise finger placement (poor experience); Larger design challenges for palm vein modules.
Current Market Position & Trends
Emerging high-security solution. Finger vein is quickly replacing palm vein (more natural recognition posture, better experience), and it will form a "dual-mode fusion" high-end combination with 3D facial recognition.