Robots are impacting multiple industries, and the banking
industry is no exception.
Financial institutions across the world are beginning to use
them for tasks ranging from counting money to handling customer requests in an
effort to not only simplify tasks but to transform the branch experience.
VTB, a Russian state bank, for example, has recently
deployed robots designed by DIIP200 to handle cash-counting duties. An operator
directs the robot to load cash from customer revenue, ATM cassettes and
point-of-sale cash into trays.
“From the moment of loading into special trays for recalculation
to the moment of forming ready-made banknote spines, it works independently,
performing all digital operations, including laying banknotes in the counting
and sorting machine for recalculation, removing processed banknotes (spines of
100 sheets), placing them in the bander machine, and forming rolls with ruined
bills and those subject to further examination,” a spokesperson for VTB said in
an email.
In essence, these robots act as a cashier that “processes
the received cash, including recalculation, sorting, orientation and
packaging,” the spokesperson said.
With this particular robot, customers do not interact with
it, because it just handles the cash. However, other banks are exploring robots
that can directly chat with customers, such as the Workers Credit Union, which
has begun using Pepper, an interactive robot, as well as Olivia, a hologram,
and video teller ATM at its location in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Created by SoftBank Robotics, Pepper, the nearly 4-foot tall
robot with big eyes and a smile, delivers a fun experience for guests, said
Peter Rice, banking officer of the Workers Credit Union.
“Pepper can recognize and interact with people. Pepper can
also answer a series of preprogrammed questions, pose for selfies, and even
dance if asked,” he said. “To do this, Pepper is equipped with infrared sensors,
bumpers, an inertial navigation unit, 2D and 3D cameras, and sonars for
omnidirectional and autonomous navigation. It can perform multimodal
interactions through touch sensors, LED lights and microphones. The touch
screen allows Pepper to display content that highlights messages.”
Olivia, found at multiple locations of the Workers Credit
Union, can answer questions in multiple languages, including American Sign
Language, which is part of an effort to create a more inclusive environment for
customers.
The bank also plans to expand Pepper’s capabilities to make
it more inclusive for customers on the autism spectrum as well. The robot has
largely been received positively by guests, according to Rice.
“A humanoid robot isn’t something people typically see in a
banking location, so the first reaction is often curiosity,” Rice said. “Once
members start interacting with Pepper, they have found it to be an engaging
experience that has enhanced their visit to our location. We’re looking forward
to expanding our use of Pepper based on member feedback in the future.”
What about jobs?
One concern surrounding robots, however, is the possible
effect they’ll have on jobs. For these two deployments in particular, the
impact has varied.
VTB side, for example, said it reduced its number of
employees from 64 to 43 but has been able to use the workers it kept more
effectively for other tasks.
With Workers Credit Union, the robots have had no impact on
jobs loss. Instead, they’ve freed up employees to act as financial coaches. The
union has trained the entire staff to deliver personalized financial coaching
to customers.
“We recognize that it is people who transform lives,” Rice
said. “So, the technology frees up our staff to sit down with members, to talk
about the things that are important to them, the things that are challenging
them at their stage of life and empower them to make good decisions that help
them reach their goals.”
The overall goal of both of these robots is not to reduce
the number of employees but rather to deliver a more effective and impactful
bank experience.
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