POSB Bank ATMs get Braille, audio capabilities

Source: POSB. From left, Derrick Goh, Head of POSB; Dolores Scully, PR Executive, SAVH, Danny Chia, Vice-President of SAVH, Guest of Honour Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin; Jeremy Soo, DBS Head of Consumer Banking Group Singapore, and Sim S. Lim, DBS Singapore Country Head, celebrate the launch of POSB’s Talking ATMs.

POSB Bank has launched 'Talking ATMs' in Singapore. The ATMs feature visually handicapped-friendly functions such as Braille instructions and audio guidance. These new features will help visually impaired customers, including the elderly perform basic ATM transactions independently.

Working with the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH), the bank has enhanced 86 ATMs across its network to provide the inclusive capabilities. The POSB Talking ATMs initiative marks the first time a local bank is introducing Talking ATMs in Singapore. Most of the Talking ATMs will be located at MRT stations for ease of access.

Said Sim S. Lim, DBS Singapore Country Head, “As neighbours first, bankers second, POSB aims to build a more inclusive society by ensuring that its services are easy to use and takes into account the diverse needs of its customers. The process behind this initiative, from user experience development, testing, piloting and then finally wide-scale implementation took some 1,000 man hours. We worked closely with SAVH to ensure that for the visually handicapped, the process of using these ATMs would be as simple and easy as possible. POSB is thankful to have the opportunity to contribute towards a more inclusive society through our services.”

Said Danny Chia, Vice-President of SAVH, “With POSB providing ATMs with audio features, the visually handicapped person is now able to withdraw cash independently and privately. This eliminates the need to make cash withdrawals over the counter or having a sighted person present to read out the prompts on the screen.

“It is hoped that with the example set by POSB towards making banking more seamless for the visually handicapped, other banks will follow in their footsteps. We applaud DBS for championing the rights of the visually challenged and in helping us take a step forward toward making ours a more inclusive and progressive society.”

To activate the audio instruction feature at POSB Talking ATMs, users plug their headsets into the ATM’s audio jack. This instantly activates the voice instruction feature that will guide users as they perform basic transactions such as balance enquiries or cash withdrawals. POSB Talking ATMs can be identified by Braille indicators or by “Visually Handicapped Friendly” signs on the ATM. Further user instructions in Braille can also be found at key locations across the machine.

POSB has also provided a demonstration machine to SAVH. Located at SAVH’s premises, the machine will serve as a training tool to help members get acquainted with the ATM’s visually handicapped friendly functions. The bank is also working with SAVH to develop instruction manuals and train facilitators.

Interested?

Read more about POSB Talking ATMs and how to use them at posb.com.sg/talking-atms or go.dbs.com/talking-atms. 

The future of banking may include screenless ATMs driven by mobile apps

EyeLock, a provider of iris-based identity authentication solutions, and Diebold, a global provider self-service technology, software and services, have teamed up on a screenless, self-service ATM concept  that is more compact than traditional ATMs. A prototype called Irving is currently being tested by Citibank in the US.

The design of the new concept ATM does not have a PIN pad, card reader, or screen. Instead, all transactions take place via a mobile app on the user's smartphone. In addition to near field communication (NFC) and quick response (QR) code technology, the new system uses iris scanning from EyeLock to identify the customer once at the ATM.

"EyeLock believes that the age of carrying plastic cards and remembering passwords is just about over and the era of unfettered personal access through biometric technology is just beginning," said Anthony Antolino, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer for EyeLock. "For banking and other applications, EyeLock's iris identity authentication solutions are not only highly secure, but very easy to use."

According to Frank Natoli, Executive Vice President of Self-Service Technology at Diebold, customers sign into their banking app on their phone or tablet and determine how much money they want to take out. Once the withdrawal is input, they then go to any EyeLock-equipped ATM on the network to complete the transaction. They would simply approach the machine, which identifies them through NFC, scans the iris of his or her eye to quickly verify identity, and the ATM dispenses the correct amount of cash. The whole process takes less than half the time of a typical ATM transaction today - with Irving, cash withdrawals can be completed in less than ten seconds.

"While digital channels are evolving, cash will continue to play an important role in consumer transactions," Natoli said. "That's where Diebold comes into play – to bridge the digital and physical worlds of cash in unprecedented ways through cardless transactions, mobile integration and faster, more convenient access. The Irving concept embodies a new era of banking and puts the user experience at the top of the pyramid to connect consumers with their money when and how they see fit." 

Citibank is in the early stages of testing the high tech ATM and plans to roll it out are still to be determined. "At Citi, we are always looking for innovations that simplify and enhance the banking experience," said CitiFinTech CEO Heather Cox.

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