Sorry, but $20K per door is still ridiculous. This is not new technology, automatically operated doors are used in many different settings. It's pure gov't waste to pay that much. It would be wasteful if it was 1/4 that much.
As an example that most automatic doors don't have to deal with, but is essential for railways:
The door must detect a 1-2cm obstruction (e.g. fingers, child's wrist) and be sufficiently weak that a child can pull their hand/wrist free. The door must not prevent a train from departing if only a hem of a skirt/trousers/coat is trapped. They must be strong enough to prevent anyone falling from the train while it is in motion, and must not be able to be forced open between stations.
Otherwise, approximately one person per year will die.
How much would you charge, to make doors to this specification?
And, some time in the next five years, an accident will happen, somewhere in the world. Your next door will need to prevent that situation, too.
[This is the situation in "wealthier" Europe, where it's pretty difficult to die on a train. Other countries may vary.]
The first part just means they need to have rubber padding. Still expensive since the design it's a one time job and can be reused for trains, trams, buses etc.
It's not that simple. Something different is required depending how the doors close (pneumatic, electric) and the expected use (high / low speed, crowded or not).
If the padding is too squashy, a trapped hand won't be detected and the person could be dragged under the train. Too sensitive, and someone leaning a suitcase on the door prevents the train from leaving.
The door must detect a 1-2cm obstruction (e.g. fingers, child's wrist) and be sufficiently weak that a child can pull their hand/wrist free. The door must not prevent a train from departing if only a hem of a skirt/trousers/coat is trapped. They must be strong enough to prevent anyone falling from the train while it is in motion, and must not be able to be forced open between stations.
Otherwise, approximately one person per year will die.
How much would you charge, to make doors to this specification?
And, some time in the next five years, an accident will happen, somewhere in the world. Your next door will need to prevent that situation, too.
[This is the situation in "wealthier" Europe, where it's pretty difficult to die on a train. Other countries may vary.]