ATM for illiterate population incorporates biometrics
12 July, 2011
category: Biometrics, Financial
NCR Corp., a developer of cash registers and other cash-based technologies, has developed a free-standing, pillar-shaped ATM that is designed for use in under-developed countries where bank access and literacy are major issues for population’s access to cash, according to a Scientific American article.
Specifically, the solution has done away with the standard aspects of an ATM such as a display screen and instead uses of a set of preset cash buttons, a cash dispenser, receipt printer and a fingerprint sensor to identify the individual and discern the account.
In addition to enabling illiterate users to access cash easily, the system also simplifies the process by having it involve simply scanning one’s thumb and pressing the button that determines how much they want and then collecting their cash and receipt.
Despite the intention being to serve illiterate and semi-illiterate users, the idea of including a receipt in the transaction came from the insight that some don’t see a transaction as complete until they receive a receipt. NCR officials have divulged that five prototypes are being tested by U.S. financial institutions, and assuming the tests are successful, they hope to have the ATMs in targeted markets within a year.
Read the full story here.