Suprema launches BioStation 3 Max biometric terminal

Suprema has launched BioStation 3 Max, a new biometric access control terminal and the company's flagship model for identity-based security.

The terminal combines face and fingerprint recognition with RFID, mobile access, QR codes and PIN entry in a single unit. It is aimed at settings ranging from corporate lobbies to more tightly controlled entry points.

The launch comes as access control hardware is increasingly treated as a networked endpoint rather than a standalone reader. That shift has pushed manufacturers to focus more closely on device security, data protection and resistance to tampering, alongside speed and ease of use.

BioStation 3 Max runs on a hardened Linux operating system with Secure Boot, designed to allow only signed firmware to run on the device. It also includes a CC EAL6+ certified secure element to protect stored credentials and cryptographic keys.

According to Suprema, biometric templates are encrypted, terminal communications are protected with TLS, and the unit can trigger alerts if physical tampering is detected.

Privacy focus

The product also includes options for organisations that want to avoid central storage of biometric data. These include Template-on-Mobile and Template-on-Card, which allow biometric information to be stored on a user's own device or a smart card.

That approach reflects broader concerns among customers and regulators about how biometric data is stored, processed and protected. Companies deploying such systems often face scrutiny over whether sensitive personal data remains under user control and whether central databases create avoidable risks.

Speed and scale

On performance, the terminal uses Suprema's latest artificial intelligence engine on a dedicated neural processing unit. Face matching takes less than 0.3 seconds, including for users moving through an entrance rather than standing still.

The device uses dual 2MP visual and infrared cameras for liveness detection and anti-spoofing checks. The system is designed to identify attempts to deceive the terminal with printed photographs, replayed videos or three-dimensional masks.

It can also recognise users wearing sunglasses or masks and cope with different angles and changing light conditions. BioStation 3 Max supports up to 100,000 enrolled users, placing it in the category of large-scale deployments such as office campuses, industrial facilities and other multi-user sites.

Screen and intercom

A 7-inch IPS touchscreen provides prompts during authentication and guidance for face positioning. The display can also be used for custom messaging.

The product includes a built-in VoIP intercom with SIP integration, allowing visitors to contact reception or another attended point from the terminal itself. This adds a communications function to a device type that has traditionally focused on identity checks and door access alone.

For physical deployment, the terminal is rated IP65 for dust and water resistance and IK06 for impact resistance. It supports both speed-gate and wall mounting, while selected models offer PoE+ so power and data can be carried over a single cable.

The combination of biometric verification, multiple credential formats and integrated communications reflects a wider trend in the access control market. Buyers are increasingly looking for fewer separate devices at building entrances, particularly where there is pressure to simplify installation, reduce hardware clutter and standardise the user experience across sites.

Hanchul Kim, Chief Executive Officer of Suprema, described the launch as a benchmark product for the company's identity-led approach. "BioStation 3 Max defines the new standard for identity-first security," Kim said. "Biometric authentication, certified hardware security, and superior AI performance, brought together in one flagship terminal. Trust, engineered into every door."