SINGAPORE, November 18, 2025 – As organisations across ASEAN and India accelerate digital transformation and modern security adoption, HID is placing a bold bet on the future of trusted access. At The Security Event Asia 2025 in Singapore, the global identity solutions giant unveiled HID Amico™, a new generation of biometric facial recognition readers designed to deliver secured, seamless, and AI-powered access control for offices, campuses, data centres, commercial real estate and government facilities.
In a conversation with AsiaBizToday, Prabhuraj Patil, Senior Director, Physical Access Control Solutions for ASEAN & India Subcontinent, HID shared why Amico represents a pivotal evolution in the company’s physical access portfolio — and why the region is poised to become one of the fastest adopters of next-gen biometrics.
“This is our first time participating at this event, and what stands out is the seriousness of the customers we’re meeting,” Patil said. “People are here for real conversations, real contracts, real partnerships.”
New Benchmark for Biometric Access
HID Amico™ was previewed for the first time in the region, marking a major expansion of HID’s biometric reader portfolio. Built with advanced 3D imaging, neural networks, and Paravision’s industry-leading algorithm, Amico delivers millisecond-fast, highly accurate, and spoof-resistant facial recognition — even in low-light and high-glare environments.
“Facial biometrics has grown tremendously after the pandemic because people want seamless, touch-free access,” Patil explained. “Amico bridges that demand with the security HID is known for.”
Amico also differentiates itself with its multi-factor capabilities. Beyond facial recognition, the device supports mobile credentials, smart cards, PINs and QR codes — bringing all authentication methods into one compact unit.
“We don’t believe one mode fits every scenario,” he said. “So we built a reader that can do it all.”
Two variants were offered at launch – a compact 3.5-inch model and a larger screen-equipped version with integrated intercom, designed for visitor management and high-traffic entry points.
Securing Identity in a Privacy-First World
As biometric systems become mainstream, concerns around data protection and privacy are rising. Patil emphasised that HID’s decades-long reputation in identity security shapes every design decision.
“HID’s mission is to keep identity safe — whether it belongs to a person or a device,” Patil stressed. “Everything begins with protecting the individual.”
Amico stores facial templates securely and employs strong encryption to prevent spoofing. Paravision — used in border control and national security environments — adds an additional layer of trust.
Meeting the Region’s Demand for Frictionless Access
Across Southeast Asia and India, adoption of biometric access control is accelerating, driven by a mix of smart city initiatives, workplace modernisation, government digital identity frameworks and a push for contactless experiences.
“Across ASEAN, whether it’s BFSI, CRE, industrial zones or data centres, customers want secure access that doesn’t interrupt movement,” Patil said. “Biometrics fits perfectly into that vision.”
Patil noted that HID’s strong regional presence gives it an advantage in shaping solutions that match diverse environments — from multi-tenant campuses to enterprise lobbies, from high-security server rooms to government buildings.
AI Becomes Central to Access Control
While Amico’s launch focuses on facial recognition, its roadmap is rooted in AI-enabled intelligence. The device uses neural networks trained on millions of data points to adapt to lighting changes, angles, and movement patterns.
“The device doesn’t just recognise who you are — it learns how you behave,” Patil said. “That’s where access control is heading.”
He described future capabilities such as anomaly detection and behavioural alerts:
“If someone repeatedly enters an unauthorised zone or appears at odd hours, the system could flag it as a potential security risk.”
A Unified Identity Ecosystem
As workplaces become hybrid and enterprises span multiple locations, managing physical and digital access independently is no longer sustainable.
Amico integrates seamlessly with HID Mobile Access, credential management platforms, and cloud-based identity systems, enabling administrators to manage permissions, analytics, and compliance centrally.
“Our long-term vision is simple,” Patil said. “A person should be able to use their verified identity to move securely across doors, networks and digital services — without friction.”
Channel-Led Go-To-Market Strategy
HID will continue its partner-driven go-to-market strategy, relying on OEMs, system integrators and technology partners to build solutions on top of Amico’s APIs.
“We enable the ecosystem — others build on our technology,” Patil explained. “Our partners take Amico and create customised solutions for every kind of customer.”
Looking ahead, Patil believes the biometric industry will mature rapidly, shaped by customer expectations and AI-driven enhancements.
“AI is going to be everywhere — and access control will not be an exception,” he said. “Five years from now, we will see far more intelligent, adaptive, secure systems delivering results beyond what we imagine today.”
From low-light detection to behavioural analytics, from cloud integration to multi-factor identity ecosystems, HID sees Amico as the first step toward a smarter, safer access future.