BBVA launches new ATMs

The new BBVA ATM

Europe is on the brink of embracing biometric, state-of-the-art ATMs as Spanish bank BBVA begins to pilot touchscreen ATMs that have been developed with design consultancy Ideo.

The briefing that was sent to Ideo in early 2007 was to "re-think their self-service channel from scratch. The question was not how to further automate the teller, but rather how to humanise the machine."

Using customers and how they interacted with ATMs as a guide, Ideo says it has developed a "more intuitive approach, improving privacy, ease-of-use and simplicity."

Now finished and built with the aid of NCR and Fujitsu, the ATMs are currently being trialed. The unit enables all operations, including PIN entry, to be done on a 19-inch iPad-style touch screen that displays only information relevant to the transaction at hand. All other tasks such as statements, receipts and even cash are handled in and out through a single slot.

Security has also been improved, with users having to stand at 90 degrees to anyone else who may be waiting, with their actions (and therefore personal details) shielded by a frosted panel.

The units were already installed at Madrid branches earlier in the year, but this marks the first nationwide trial before the ATMs are rolled out all over Spain over the rest of 2010.

First Poland, now Spain...

Indeed, state-of-the-art ATMs are becoming more and more popular, with Poland releasing biometric cash units a few months ago to cut down on identity fraud.

The biometric cash machine, from Wincor Nixdorf, was installed in Warsaw where BPS stated that it intended to roll out another three model units by the end of the year. It is hoped that they'll soon catch on with over 200 being installed around the country.

The Hitachi-designed biometric system works by requesting customers to place their fingertip onto a sensor on the cash machine. The sensor then detects veins in the fingertip as a 3D pattern, which is unique to every person. Once this model is matched to those on that individual's record, money is issued.

Unlike Asia where biometric technology has found strong support, the idea has had less traction in Europe and the US; however this looks set to change.

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