National Bank of Australia has launched a pilot to offer talking ATMs to visually-impaired customers across the country.
The pilot will use audio or voice-enabled technology to enable customers who are blind, vision impaired or elderly to perform basic ATM transactions such as, cash withdrawals, printed account balances and transfers between National accounts.
Kay Thawley, general manager, direct retailing and distribution, says: "The intention is to take the learnings from this pilot and develop our strategy. By trialing audio-enabled ATM technology we hope to provide greater access to banking services and increase the financial independence of our customers."
The audio ATM pilot, which will run until June 2002, is a joint venture with the National's ATM supplier Diebold and is being supported by the RVIB and Blind Citizens Australia (BCA). An extended trial will run for eight months at an additional ten locations.
From January 2003, all newly purchased ATMs will be voice enabled, says Thawley.