New Product: Free Flow Turnstile (dFlow)

Author: Brian Rhodes, Published on May 05, 2016

A new turnstile uses a totally different approach for access control than anything else on the market.  Instead of unlocking to let people through, it slams closed on unauthorized users.

However, the developer says this approach is fundamentally better than traditional units and claims security is just as good, if not better. And it uses high-tech sensors to support those claims.

In this note, we look at Digicon's dFlow Turnstile, examine how it differs from typical units, and see if it really is the game-changer it claims to be.

* *** ********* **** * ******* ********* ******** *** ****** control **** ******** **** ** *** ******.  ******* ** ********* to *** ****** *******, ** ***** ****** ** ************ *****.

*******, *** ********* **** **** ******** ** ************* ****** **** traditional ***** *** ****** ******** ** **** ** ****, ** not ******. *** ** **** ****-**** ******* ** ******* ***** ******.

** **** ****, ** **** *********'* ***** *********, ******* *** ** ******* **** ******* *****, *** *** if ** ****** ** *** ****-******* ** ****** ** **.

[***************]

The '**** ****' **********

*** **** ******* *********** ********** *** *** ***** ******* ********* is **** *** ******** *** ******** **** *** **** ***** when ** ************ ****** ******** ** **** ****:

*** ******* ***** ** **** ******** ** ******, ******* "*** vast ******** ** ***** **** ***** ****** ***********" *** ******* of ******* *** ******** ** ***** ***** ** ***** **** unlocking * *********, *** ********* ******* **** ***** ****** ** stop *** ******* ********.

**** ******** *** *** ********* **** ***** * **** ****** throughput, *** ******* ******* ** "******* ************ **** ** ** the **-** ***** *** ******, ************* ****** **** ******* ****/****** ******* *******" that ******* **-** ***** *** ******.

Product ********

*** ************'* **** ***** ***** ***** *** ********* *** ******* performance ** *** ******, **** ***** ******* ********* **** ********** ** ********:

Key **********

***** ** ***** ** ** ********** **** ********** ******** **** traditional ***************** **********:

**** ******: ***** ** ********* ** ***** ***** **** *******. *** a **” **** ****, *** ******* ***** ***** ** ******* 0.4 *** *.* ***.

******** *****: ******* **** ******* ***** ** * ******** ** *** location, ***** *** ************ ** *** ************ **** ** *** gate. *** ******* ********* **** ** **:

** ** ************ **** ****** *** **** ******, *** ***** close ******. ** **** ***** *******, *** ***** ***** ******. By *** **** *****, ** **** **** ********* ******* *** gate ********, *** ***** **** **** ****** ** ****** ** they *****.

*********** ********: *** ***** *** **** ** * *********** *******, ******* the ****** ** ****** ** ***. *** ***** *** ******** with * ****** ****** ***** ****** *** ****** *****.

**** ***********: ***** **** ** ********* ***** ** ********* ** ******** access ******* *******, ***** ********** ** *******, ******, ****, ** Code *** ******. *** ********* *** ********* *** **-***, **** and ******** (***** ****), ** */* ******** *** ******* ***********.

**** ***** ********: *** **** ******** ****** *** *********** **** **** ***** systems, ** ******** *** **** **** *** **** ****** ****** emergencies.

*****

*** **** ***** ** ***** ** *** ** ****** ** $20,000. ******* ******* ** ******* ************* *** *** **** ***** a ****** **** ** ******** ** ***********.  **** **** * single **** **** ****** ** * ****** *****.

Time ** ****** *****

** ***** ** ** ********** ** ******* *** ****** *** position *** ***** ** ***** ****** ******* *****, **** ******** adjacent ** **** *****, ***** **** * ***** **** ** detection ******: **** ** ******, ** ***.

**** ****** ** ******* ******** ******** ** *** *********, ** it *** ****** *** **** *********** ****** *** *********. ** asked ******* ** ********* ** **** ******** ******* ** *********** PIR ***** *******:

**** ** ******* ******* ** *** ******* ** **** **** (normally **** *****) ** ******** **** *** ******* ******** ********, point-to-point ** ******* *** *** **** *** ********* ********** ******** for ********* ******* **** ********. ** ** ******* ******* ** overhead ******* *** ******* ** * ** ******. *** ** part ** **** ****** ** *******. ***** *** ***** ******** users (********** ** ***) ****** *** ***** **** **** **** high *********.

***** *** ** *** ******* ** ***** ********** *** ** security, *** ********** *** **** ******* ** ******** *********. **** this ****-********** ****** **** ***** *** *******'* ** **** ** ****** ******. ***** ******* ******** ** **** ********** ** ***** *** and ******* ********* ******** ** ***** ******/********* *******, *** ***** **** ToF ** * ****** ********** *** ********* ******** ********* ** growing.

Company *******

********* * ********* ********* *** ********** **** ************ **** *** ********* into ********* *******. *** *******'* ******* **** ******** ***** *** turnstiles (*******-********** *** *********) ** * ******* ** ******, **** height ********** (****** *** ******) *** ********* *****. ***** ***** is *** ****** ********, *** ******* ******* ** ******** ******** traditional ********* ********.

*** ******* ********* ***** ******* * ****** ******* ** *** users, ***** ** ** ******* ** ****** ****** ***** *******.

************** Access ******* ************

*****'* ************ ********* ******** ** **** ****** **** *** ** a *** ********** **********, **** ***** ******* **********, *** ******** used.  ** ***** ** ******** ********, *** ***-****** ************ *** lightweight ******* ****** **** **** * ********** ************ **** *** simply *** **** ** ***** **** *** ******.

******, ***** *** ******** *** ******* ***** ** ****, ** high ******** ****** ***** ******* ** ********, * ************ ****-****** turnstile ** ******** **** **** ** ********.

*******, *** ***** ***** ***** *** *** *** *** **** population ** ********* ****-********* **** ****** *******, ***** ***** ***** a **** ********** ******* **********-***** *********** ** * *** **** few ***** ******** *** *******.

Comments (21)

Konstantin Avramenko

05/05/16 02:11pm

Since 1961 this type of turnstile has been used at the USSR subway stations

I posted the first video I found. This one is broken but it shows how it works.

This type of turnstiles worked well but it was dangerous and a bit scary )

Thumbnail pp 5

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Konstantin Avramenko | 05/05/16 02:28pm

Holy cow, that thing looks like it could break legs.

I am curious how/why the turnbuckles close? A bad card/token read? Motion detectors?

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Brian Rhodes | 05/05/16 02:44pm

It was painful but usually it closed before you reached the point when it could hit you.

It worked with coins, then tokens, then cards. You can see holes from each side these are sensors. And this retro video shows the process.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Brian Rhodes | 05/05/16 09:43pm

Ask dFlow if their fancy Terahertz scanner can put a stop to such low-tech exploits such as the one at the 2 minute mark in the retro video, one that is clearly vulnerable to mixed-pair figure skaters.

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 05/05/16 10:58pm

I would try it how it handles these situations:

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Konstantin Avramenko | 05/06/16 01:27am

One of the Soviet innovations that came from the Space Race no doubt.

We got Tang, they got state-of-the-art access control.

And this is technology that wouldn't be duplicated for another 50 years.

Konstantin, can you explain how this was supposed to be an improvement, at least in theory, on just opening on authentication?

With the dFlow it makes sense, since you can have multiple people going thru with little gap between them, but here since everyone has to present auth of some sort, and the gap between the "reader" and the gate is large enough and the gate closes quick enough, there seems ample time to open for each person.

Plus, the time saved from the reauth runaround process would make it even faster, no?

Sure, it might save energy, but was that the main objective?

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 05/06/16 01:51am

Konstantin, can you explain how this was supposed to be an improvement, at least in theory, on just opening on authentication?

Did I say somewhere that it is an improvement? Personally I see no serious difference between them. In theory dFlow can have higher throughput but I doubt that in real life there will be significant difference.

From a user point of view I think that scheme: "stop - present credential - see gates opening - start moving" is better than "present credentials on the go - be stopped by gates -try to reach the reader through the people stacked behind you".

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Konstantin Avramenko | 05/06/16 03:49am

Did I say somewhere that it is an improvement?

Did I say somewhere you did? :)

But, I am actually wondering what the Soviets had in mind when they rolled this thing out. Was it intended to speed things up, save power, or just whack people in the crotch at random to keep 'em guessing?

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 05/06/16 04:09am

It was chosen from 32 projects in 1957 and I believe this choice was based on the level of technology at that time.

Now it depends on a country and city. This photo is from the Moscow subway.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Konstantin Avramenko | 05/06/16 04:38am

Why are they closed?

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 05/06/16 04:59am

Because it is a different type.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Konstantin Avramenko | 05/06/16 08:00am

Although looking vaguely Egyptian, this is yet another Russian turnstile innovation, though a bit lower-tech.

Apparently most fare jumpers are male...

Thumbnail scottpic

Scott Gerrels

IPVMU Certified | 05/05/16 05:42pm

I like this approach where life safety codes make it difficult to put in a traditional turnstile

Thumbnail image

Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC | 05/05/16 10:45pm

As a man, I'm not comfortable with anything flying towards my nether regions.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Jon Dillabaugh | 05/06/16 12:51am

As a man, I'm not comfortable with anything flying towards my nether regions.

As Konstantin says above, it's only painful when it hits you.

As for the dFlow, it's an adaptive response based on real-time data from 3d sensors, so you should be fine. Anyway, if I'm not mistaken that board is sourced from the leader in the field, Johnson Controls, whose name speaks for itself.

Horace Lasell

05/06/16 12:32am

Eagerly looking forward to their Yosemite Sam trapdoor variant!

Thumbnail scottpic

Scott Gerrels

IPVMU Certified | 05/06/16 01:11am

Am I the only one who likes the potential in this approach? I have run into projects that life safety codes prohibited anything other than an optical approach rather than physical - this would probably work in that application.

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Scott Gerrels | 05/06/16 02:12am

Can you please clarify what difference from the point of life safety codes you see between this product and other turnstiles?

If it is Card In/Out then there has to be an emergency door (or alternative) because even dFlow wings are not closed they will close in front of a person without the right credential. If it is Card In only then again there is no difference between turnstiles because all of them will allow free egress.

Am I missing something?

Thumbnail pp 5

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Konstantin Avramenko | 05/06/16 02:17am

dFlow has a fire-alarm override contact and can be used in 'card-in' configurations only.

Thumbnail scottpic

Scott Gerrels

IPVMU Certified | 05/06/16 03:38am

The turnstiles in the dflow videos I saw look like they are meant to keep people from entering unauthorized and allow free egress - they aren't even deployed until approached without authorization- wonder if you even need to deal with an override in this setup.

Konstantin Avramenko

In reply to Scott Gerrels | 05/06/16 03:47am

If your customer does not want "physical" then you can propose them something like this

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports on Access Control

Access Control Lock Guide on Sep 26, 2018
In this guide, we examine locks; critical elements of any security system and fundamental parts of every access control system. Two fundamental...
Favorite Access Control Reader Manufacturer 2018 on Sep 25, 2018
Favorite reader votes are in, and it is not close. A global access giant ran away with the votes in a one-sided contest. But for many, the...
UTC, Owner of Lenel, Acquires S2 on Sep 20, 2018
UTC now owns two of the biggest access control providers, one of integrator's most hated access control platforms, Lenel, and one of their...
Favorite Request-to-Exit (RTE) Manufacturers 2018 on Sep 19, 2018
Request To Exit devices like motion sensors and lock releasing push-buttons are a part of almost every access install, but who makes the equipment...
Door Fundamentals For Access Control Guide on Sep 12, 2018
Assuming every door can be secured with either a maglock or an electric strike can be a painful assumption in the field. While those items can be...
Access Control Course Fall 2018 on Sep 06, 2018
Registration IS CLOSED ends this Thursday. Register now. If you are looking to strengthen your ability to design and deploy access systems or...
Drain Wire For Access Control Reader Tutorial on Sep 04, 2018
An easy-to-miss cabling specification plays a key role in access control, yet it is commonly ignored. The drain wire offers protection for readers...
Directory Of 110+ Video Management Software (VMS) Suppliers on Aug 30, 2018
This directory provides a list of Video Management Software providers to help you see and research what options are available. Listing...
Exit Devices For Access Control Tutorial on Aug 28, 2018
Exit Devices, also called 'Panic Bars' or 'Crash Bars' are required by safety codes the world over, and become integral parts of electronic access...
Assa Aperio Wireless Access Reader R100 Tested on Aug 23, 2018
Wireless access control is frequently promoted by manufacturers as a way to cut installation costs. Perhaps the biggest proponent of this is mega...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Ladders For Installers Guide on Sep 25, 2018
Ladders are one of the most important pieces of worksite equipment for the surveillance technician. Too often, however, even highly experienced...
Favorite Access Control Reader Manufacturer 2018 on Sep 25, 2018
Favorite reader votes are in, and it is not close. A global access giant ran away with the votes in a one-sided contest. But for many, the...
Genetec Takes Aim At 'Untrustworthy' 'Foreign Government-Owned Vendors' on Sep 24, 2018
Genetec is taking aim at 'untrustworthy' 'foreign government-owned vendors'. This is not a new theme for Genetec as nearly 2 years ago, Genetec...
4MP Camera Shootout - Axis, Dahua, DW, Hanwha, Hikvision, Uniview, Vivotek on Sep 24, 2018
4MP usage continues to climb, especially for low cost fixed lens models. To see who was best, we bought and tested seven 4MP models from Axis,...
Alexa Guard Expands Amazon's Security Offerings, Boosts ADT's Stock on Sep 21, 2018
Amazon is expanding their security offerings yet again, this time with Alexa Guard that delivers security audio analytics and a virtual "Fake...
UTC, Owner of Lenel, Acquires S2 on Sep 20, 2018
UTC now owns two of the biggest access control providers, one of integrator's most hated access control platforms, Lenel, and one of their...
BluePoint Aims To Bring Life-Safety Mind-Set To Police Pull Stations on Sep 20, 2018
Fire alarm pull stations are commonplace but police ones are not. A self-funded startup, BluePoint Alert Solutions is aiming to make police pull...
SIA Plays Dumb On OEMs And Hikua Ban on Sep 20, 2018
OEMs widely pretend to be 'manufacturers', deceiving their customers and putting them at risk for cybersecurity attacks and, soon, violation of US...
Axis Vs. Hikvision IR PTZ Shootout on Sep 20, 2018
Hikvision has their high-end dual-sensor DarkfighterX. Axis has their high-end concealed IR Q6125-LE. Which is better? We bought both and tested...
Avigilon Announces AI-Powered H5 Camera Development on Sep 19, 2018
Avigilon will be showcasing "next-generation AI" at next week's ASIS GSX. In an atypical move, the company is not actually releasing these...

The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.

About | FAQ | Contact