The global biometrics market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 35.2% over the next five years, reaching a market size of US$37 billion. According to our model, the biometrics market, primarily driven by fingerprint, facial, and iris recognition, is expected to reach US$37.02 billion in 2018, representing a CAGR of 35.2% from 2013 to 2018.

Fingerprint recognition, one of the "three pillars" of biometrics, has enormous potential.

  Looking at the breakdown, the driving force behind fingerprint and iris recognition is primarily the explosive growth of the smart terminal application market, while facial recognition is mainly driven by increased demand in the public security market. Due to their smaller initial base, facial and iris recognition are poised for rapid growth, with their share of the overall biometrics market expected to increase from 11.4% and 5.1% in 2013 to 22.4% and 22.1% in 2018, respectively. In China, a populous nation, the potential market space for biometrics is rapidly expanding, driven by multiple factors including information security needs, public safety requirements, and the standardization of biometric identification.
 

 
  The iPhone 5S's fingerprint scanner has garnered much attention, with some questioning its security, others seeing it as the ultimate password killer, and still others finding it highly questionable. Below, we list more than ten features of the two encryption methods to clearly illustrate their advantages and disadvantages, helping you better understand their differences.
 
  Biometric technology, like user and password systems, is a system for identifying and verifying oneself. Traditional passwords are weak in security and difficult to manage, so everyone wants to create a new password killer. The truth is, passwords have their weaknesses and strengths, and so does biometrics. Let's first look at the characteristics of these two technologies.
 
 
  Therefore, the list above illustrates that biometrics is not necessarily the best alternative to cryptography. While biometrics does offer some clear advantages in certain areas, it also has many drawbacks and can become quite vulnerable in specific situations. You cannot conclude that biometrics or cryptography is better simply through a comparison.
 
  However, it is certain that using a combination of password and biometric technology is much more secure than using only one of them. For example, you know that fingerprint recognition cannot be changed, but you can change it when combined with a password. The two together are called two-factor authentication.

 
 
  The fingerprint lock industry, much like previous domestic variety shows, is teeming with companies and brands constantly joining, yet no single brand stands out. So how can a fingerprint lock company differentiate itself from the crowd and become a leading brand? We can glean some insights from the show "Where Are We Going, Dad?".
 
  1. Have your own materials
 
  Due to initial skepticism and numerous setbacks, the promotion of "Where Are We Going, Dad?" was relatively low-key, relying primarily on word-of-mouth to spread its popularity. It was precisely this substantial promotional material that led to the show's rapid rise to fame. This demonstrates that inherent strength always shines through.
 
  The fingerprint lock industry is a high-tech sector, and companies entering this field are not to be underestimated; they are generally companies with considerable technological capabilities. However, fingerprint lock technology is quite complex, and many companies only possess the basic technology, lacking a grasp of the essential aspects. Therefore, for fingerprint lock companies to stand out, they must master the core technologies, ensuring their companies truly possess substantial strengths to truly shine.
 
  II. Daring to be the first
 
  Although "Where Are We Going, Dad?" originated from overseas, it was the first outdoor celebrity parent-child variety show in China. This pioneering spirit contributed to the show's enormous success.
 
  The fingerprint lock industry, also originating overseas, has been developing in China for over a decade, yet no company has achieved the same level of influence as the star of the popular reality show "Where Are We Going, Dad?". The reason for this is the scarcity of companies willing to be the first.
 
  "Whether it's design, functionality, or sales channels, domestic fingerprint lock companies have adopted a cautious, follow-the-leader approach. They almost always follow the lead of established companies, and only when they see profits do other companies do it, resulting in a lukewarm industry. Fingerprint lock companies need the courage to break through and the spirit to be the first," said Mr. Yan, head of the Digil Fingerprint Lock Research Center.
 
  III. People-friendly needs
 
  "Where Are We Going, Dad?" didn't portray celebrities as aloof stars, but rather showcased another side of their lives through everyday moments, making the audience feel closer to them. This is the key to "Where Are We Going, Dad?"'s success among numerous variety shows.
 
  While fingerprint locks meet consumer needs in terms of intelligence, convenience, and security, their high price tag makes them seem inaccessible. If fingerprint locks could adopt a more affordable approach, like the celebrities featured in the reality show "Where Are We Going, Dad?", it might break the industry's current lukewarm reception.
 
 
  The capacitive fingerprint recognition market is poised for significant growth. Following the fingerprint recognition trend sparked by Apple's iPhone 5s, many companies in mainland China and Taiwan have invested heavily in developing capacitive fingerprint recognition solutions. However, with AuthenTec, Validity, and FingerprintCards having already established substantial patent barriers in this field, newcomers risk facing infringement lawsuits if they are not careful.
 
  Industry insiders indicate that there are five main types of fingerprint recognition technology: capacitive, pressure-sensing, thermal, ultrasonic, and optical. Apple pioneered capacitive fingerprint recognition in smartphones, and the expected addition of fingerprint recognition to the iPad Mini in the second half of this year has brought it to the forefront, making it a focus of industry attention.
 
  It has been observed that since the end of last year, many fingerprint recognition manufacturers have emerged in mainland China and Taiwan, such as Goodix (a subsidiary of MediaTek in Shenzhen), Silead (Shanghai), and Taiwanese companies like Motech, FocalTech, Aegis, Infinity, and Elan. All these companies are focused on developing capacitive fingerprint recognition solutions.