NCR’s tactile strip and text-to-speech technology boost financial
inclusion for people with sight loss
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 14, 2017--
NCR
Corporation (NYSE:NCR), a global leader in omni-channel solutions,
today announced that the Cx110, its touchscreen-only ATM, is the first
ATM in the world to be given ‘Approved Gold’ status by the Royal
National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), highlighting the company’s
ongoing commitment to financial inclusion.
Financial inclusion has long been a focus area for NCR, the company that
produced the first talking ATMs for the blind in 1997. With the mass
adoption of touchscreens, tactile button interfaces are diminishing. So
NCR is working closely with RNIB to test ideas and ways in which
innovative technology can boost financial inclusion.
As a result of this cooperation, NCR has developed a tactile feature,
located immediately beneath the ATM touchscreen, that allows blind or
partially sighted users to intuitively interact with the machines. In
addition, NCR used a text-to-speech technology that provides guidance to
users via headphones. This is an extension of the tried and tested
approach that enables more nuanced instructions based on the current
range of talking ATMs. The new touchscreen-only ATM also allows users to
adjust the speed and volume of the audio guidance, improving their
overall experience.
Achieving the ‘Approved Gold’ status from RNIB requires rigorous testing
by accessibility experts and a user evaluation with blind and partially
sighted people. The award provides confidence that the new ATM can be
used easily and effectively by the more than two million people in the
UK living with sight loss, with initial training and support.
Steve Tyler, RNIB’s Head of Solutions, Strategy and Planning, said,
“Helping people living with sight loss to remain independent and carry
out everyday tasks with confidence is at the heart of what we do. By
working with companies like NCR to offer practical solutions, such as
the tactile features on these new touchscreen-only ATMs, we hope to
empower blind and partially sighted people so they can experience the
same freedom as everyone else and retain their financial independence.”
Adam Crighton, Vice President Hardware Engineering at NCR and head of
the NCR Design Center in Dundee, added, “We are committed to using our
innovation and technology to address the significant global challenge of
the nearly two billion people worldwide who are underbanked. This
accreditation is the result of our ongoing partnership with RNIB, whose
expertise in supporting those with sight loss has been crucial in our
research and development process.”
About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE:NCR) is a leader in omni-channel solutions,
turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional
experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR
enables nearly 700 million transactions daily across retail, financial,
travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and small business. NCR
solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.
NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Ga., with over 30,000 employees and does
business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the
United States and other countries.
Website: www.ncr.com
Twitter:
@NCRCorporation
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/ncrcorp
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/company/ncr-corporation
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www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170614005493/en/
Source: NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation
Ortrud Wenzel, +49 821 405 8191
ortrud.wenzel@ncr.com