Piller-shaped ATMs for illiterates feature fingerprint biometric sensor

Very soon, you will find village and slum dwellers thronging ATM centers for withdrawal of cash from specially designed ATMs for them. A US based company called NCR corporation, is working on developing ATMs which are user friendly even for illiterate and semi-literate people. The new machine looks like a free standing pillar and will be user friendly for the people as it will feature fingerprint biometric sensor, preset cash buttons, cash dispenser and a receipt printer.

ATM Machine for Illiterates

The company has tried their best to make it easy for the clients to withdraw their money and at the same time special attention has been given to make it safe. The machine is waist high and is cylindrical in shape, it can be installed on the ground and if there is a space crunch then it can also be hanged on a crowbar. For security purpose, the machine is so designed that its cash box will collapse inside the machine itself if someone tries to breach the machine.

Since people using these machines will be illiterates who cannot handle various kinds of digits and names, the machine is equipped with biometric finger sensor for their assistance. A person can simply walk in, press his thumb on the sensor, push the color coded button for required denominations of money and can walk away with cash and a receipt.

Once the ATM gets approval from banking authorities, the bank will be responsible for taking fingerprints of its clients and filling up the data in biometric sensor. The NCR team also hopes that this system would be a great help for the poor, they will be able to save and use money through fair means and will be able to get rid of those unscrupulous people who take advantage of their illiteracy and muddle with their cash.

Via: ScientificAmerican