HDFC Bank rolls out second version of humanoid bot for branch banking

It will be deployed to its Koramangala branch in India.

HDFC has launched a more advanced version of its humanoid robot which will answer customer queries and guide visitors inside the branch in Koramangala from where it has been deployed.

Interactive Robotic Assistant (IRA) 2.0 has a built-in GPS and speech recognition module that can help with its customer service functions. It also has an ultrasonic sensor enabling it to move freely inside the branch. A facial recognition feature is similarly set to be installed in the near future.

“IRA 2.0 is more advanced than the first one (IRA 1.0) and it’s a blend of IRA 1.0 and EVA with some added features. For the consumers it’s a new experience of interacting with humanoid through voice rather than just touch,” local media reports quoted Nitin Chugh, country head, Digital Banking, HDFC Bank.

Invento Makerspaces and Senseforth Technologies developed IRA 2.0. The first humanoid IRA for customer service was stationed at Kamala MIlls in Mumbai last January.