How 2D and 3D facial recognition actually work, why liveness detection matters, which Australian products are worth considering, and what the Privacy Act requires before you enrol anyone's face.
An infrared dot projector emits thousands of invisible IR points across the face. A camera captures how those dots deform across the three-dimensional surfaces of your face. Software reconstructs a precise depth map unique to your geometry and matches it against the enrolled profile.
This is the same fundamental technology as Apple Face ID. A flat photograph produces zero IR dot deformation — it cannot spoof a 3D system. Unlocks in under 500ms, in any lighting, including complete darkness.
Facial recognition in smart locks ranges from basic 2D camera systems that can be spoofed with a photograph, to 3D structured light systems equivalent to Apple Face ID. This is not a minor specification difference — it determines the fundamental security and reliability of the product.
Uses a standard visible-light camera to compare flat facial geometry against stored data. Fast and inexpensive to implement.
The weakness: a sufficiently high-quality photograph can fool a 2D system. Performance degrades in poor or rapidly changing lighting, and it cannot operate in complete darkness without additional illumination.
Acceptable for low-risk convenience applications. Not recommended where security is the primary concern.
Projects thousands of infrared dots across the face. The depth deformation of those dots is reconstructed into a precise 3D geometry map — unique to your face, not your photograph.
The advantage: a flat photograph produces zero IR dot deformation. Works in complete darkness. Consistent across all lighting conditions. Both the Yale Luna Pro+ and Vault Zenith use 3D structured light recognition with liveness detection.
| Feature |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition type | 3D structured light IR | 3D structured light IR |
| Works in darkness | ✓ | ✓ |
| Photo-spoof resistant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Liveness detection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fingerprint biometric | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple HomeKit | ✓ | ✗ |
| Google Home | ✓ | ✗ |
| Other access methods | PIN · RFID · Bluetooth · NFC · Key | PIN · RFID · Bluetooth · Key |
| Best for | Apple/Google smart home households | Max spec, accessibility, no smart home needed |
The Yale Luna Pro+ is our primary recommendation for Australian residential facial recognition — particularly for households already in the Apple or Google ecosystem. It brings 3D structured light recognition, liveness detection, and fingerprint biometric with the deepest smart home integration of any lock in Australia.
3D Face Recognition · Liveness Detection · Fingerprint · HomeKit · Google Home
Fingerprint
Apple HomeKit
Face
Fingerprint
PIN
RFID
BT
Key
App platforms
Note
For buyers where smart home integration is not required but maximum technology specification is, the Vault Zenith delivers the same 3D recognition and liveness detection as the Yale Luna Pro+ in a slimline push-pull form factor — with fingerprint biometric alongside facial recognition.
3D Face Recognition · Liveness Detection · Fingerprint · Slimline Push-Pull
Face
Fingerprint
PIN
RFID
BT
Key
| Application | Privacy Risk | What's Required |
|---|---|---|
| Household — family members only | Low | Private use. Data stays on device. No formal policy required. |
| Residential — guests or cleaners enrolled | Moderate | Explicit informed consent from each enrolled person. Clear explanation of data use. Deletion process on request. |
| Workplace or commercial premises | High | Formal privacy policy. Explicit written consent. Right to refuse and use an alternative method. Legal advice strongly recommended. |
| Strata common area | High | Body corporate resolution required. Individual consent from all residents. Right to use an alternative access method. |
| Short-term rental (Airbnb) | High | Consent before check-in. Disclosed in listing. Data deleted at end of stay. We recommend PIN or RFID for rental properties instead. |
Tell us about your door, your household, and whether smart home integration matters — we'll confirm which product is right and talk through any privacy considerations for your situation.
How 2D and 3D facial recognition actually work, why liveness detection matters, which Australian products are worth considering, and what the Privacy Act requires before you enrol anyone's face.
An infrared dot projector emits thousands of invisible IR points across the face. A camera captures how those dots deform across the three-dimensional surfaces of your face. Software reconstructs a precise depth map unique to your geometry and matches it against the enrolled profile.
This is the same fundamental technology as Apple Face ID. A flat photograph produces zero IR dot deformation — it cannot spoof a 3D system. Unlocks in under 500ms, in any lighting, including complete darkness.
Facial recognition in smart locks ranges from basic 2D camera systems that can be spoofed with a photograph, to 3D structured light systems equivalent to Apple Face ID. This is not a minor specification difference — it determines the fundamental security and reliability of the product.
Uses a standard visible-light camera to compare flat facial geometry against stored data. Fast and inexpensive to implement.
The weakness: a sufficiently high-quality photograph can fool a 2D system. Performance degrades in poor or rapidly changing lighting, and it cannot operate in complete darkness without additional illumination.
Acceptable for low-risk convenience applications. Not recommended where security is the primary concern.
Projects thousands of infrared dots across the face. The depth deformation of those dots is reconstructed into a precise 3D geometry map — unique to your face, not your photograph.
The advantage: a flat photograph produces zero IR dot deformation. Works in complete darkness. Consistent across all lighting conditions. Both the Yale Luna Pro+ and Vault Zenith use 3D structured light recognition with liveness detection.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Recognition type | 3D structured light IR | 3D structured light IR |
| Works in darkness | ✓ | ✓ |
| Photo-spoof resistant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Liveness detection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fingerprint biometric | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple HomeKit | ✓ | ✗ |
| Google Home | ✓ | ✗ |
| Other access methods | PIN · RFID · Bluetooth · NFC · Key | PIN · RFID · Bluetooth · Key |
| Best for | Apple/Google smart home households | Max spec, accessibility, no smart home needed |
The Yale Luna Pro+ is our primary recommendation for Australian residential facial recognition — particularly for households already in the Apple or Google ecosystem. It brings 3D structured light recognition, liveness detection, and fingerprint biometric with the deepest smart home integration of any lock in Australia.
3D Face Recognition · Liveness Detection · Fingerprint · HomeKit · Google Home
Face
Fingerprint
PIN
RFID
BT
Key
App platforms
Note
For buyers where smart home integration is not required but maximum technology specification is, the Vault Zenith delivers the same 3D recognition and liveness detection as the Yale Luna Pro+ in a slimline push-pull form factor — with fingerprint biometric alongside facial recognition.
3D Face Recognition · Liveness Detection · Fingerprint · Slimline Push-Pull
Face
Fingerprint
PIN
RFID
BT
Key
| Application | Privacy Risk | What's Required |
|---|---|---|
| Household — family members only | Low | Private use. Data stays on device. No formal policy required. |
| Residential — guests or cleaners enrolled | Moderate | Explicit informed consent from each enrolled person. Clear explanation of data use. Deletion process on request. |
| Workplace or commercial premises | High | Formal privacy policy. Explicit written consent. Right to refuse and use an alternative method. Legal advice strongly recommended. |
| Strata common area | High | Body corporate resolution required. Individual consent from all residents. Right to use an alternative access method. |
| Short-term rental (Airbnb) | High | Consent before check-in. Disclosed in listing. Data deleted at end of stay. We recommend PIN or RFID for rental properties instead. |
Tell us about your door, your household, and whether smart home integration matters — we'll confirm which product is right and talk through any privacy considerations for your situation.
