RC522 and ESP32 is something an amateur can glue together. I cannot see why is this project a thing. I would expect a TPM alike module at least.
If I understand this correctly, this project seems to encourage developing AC systems with the authorization logic on the public side.
If so, keep in mind that a hammer would be as effective as any authorized contactless device.
It's not a good idea to have the decision making happening on the outside of the door you want to protect. Ideally, the outside component should just be the antenna and the microcontroller should be on the inside of the door.
As they demonstrate in the video, you can open their example case with a screwdriver, so then you could either short some connections to release the door lock (if it's self-contained), or connect to the ESP to grab a copy of its firmware and configuration to connect directly back to whatever controller it talks to over wifi (if it's part of a larger system).
Shameless plug: If this interests you, I am building similar technology for enterprises at Verkada, reach out to me I'm looking for builders
This looks very cool. No mention of pricing yet -- anyone care to speculate? I can appreciate the request for a distributor at the end means they aren't commercially pumping them out yet but maybe a dev kit for example.
I wonder what kind of success this might have, because this is clearly something they built either internally or for a client and turned it into a off the shelf product.
I have built stuff who could even compete with that.
This would be much more interesting if it had Apple VAS & Google SmartTap support. Although, I suppose that'd require proprietary blobs and a enterprisey admission process.
NFC tags aka MIFARE Classic and the like? Those would be susceptible to cloning with something like Chameleon Tiny and to repeater attacks. You need actual contactless smartcard support if you want to use it for something serious. Otherwise be ready for LockPickingLawyer making an example of you of how not to do it, he already has similar videos about it.
PC/SC compatible stuff is out there if you know where to look (not affiliated with them) https://webshop.d-logic.net/products/nfc-rfid-reader-writer/...
(ignore the cards they include with the order, proper contactless smartcards or something like an OMNI ring https://store.nfcring.com/products/omni need to be purchased separately)