Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Technology reaches common man

M. Soundariya Preetha

COIMBATORE: If an on-going project clicks, a resident in a remote village will soon be able to just walk to an automated cash dispenser nearby, use a touch screen kiosk and collect the required amount.

AGT Electronics, Coimbatore, is in the process of developing a self-service, biometric, linux-based, cash-dispensing machine. Generically, it can be employed for any mass distribution of cash. The first prototype of the machine, in which the beneficiary uses a smart card to log in and money is dispensed in a single denomination, has been developed.

In another eight to 10 weeks a more sophisticated version of the machine will be ready. In this second prototype, the beneficiary log in will be secured using biometrics and money will be dispensed in two denominations. Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu has funded the project.

The Managing Director of AGT Electronics, K. Thangaraj, told The Hindu on Monday that it ensures efficient manner of cash dispensation and also provides integrity of the database. It is an effort where technology is literally felt by the ordinary user, even those who are not technologically skilled.

The challenge is to ensure that it does not give room for any tampering, and at the same time provides access to genuine users. Further, the operation process should be simple and user-friendly.

Once the product is developed, it should go through field evaluation, fine-tuning, and then made according to the customer demand.

The ELCOT Managing Director, C. Umashankar, says that the system will be provided wireless connectivity.

The Corporation will also have tie-ups for marketing the kiosks, "which are more than Automated Teller Machines." The market potential is huge. For instance, it can be employed by banks in rural areas and can also be used for dole distribution under different Government schemes.

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