Soon, a robotic assistant will greet you at nearest HDFC Bank

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26 Aug, 2025 12:21

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Moneycontrol BureauPrivate sector lender HDFC Bank launched today ‘IRA’ (or Intelligent Robotic Assistant), a humanoid, which will provide assistance services in bank branches. The robot will be unveiled at one of its bank branches in the next 10-12 days.

Nitin Chugh, Country Head, Digital Banking, HDFC Bank said that based on the response received and the use-case for the humanoid, the bank will take a decision on deploying additional robots in branches.

“In the initial phase, it will be deployed in branches. We hope that our customers find value in it,” he said. Chugh said that this robot will act as an assistant to augment existing services that are being offered in the branches.

While the bank did not comment on what services the humanoid will offer, it will be a mobile robot which will be capable of offering services while being in motion. Chugh said that the bank will look into areas like block-chain, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things in the future to offer products and services in this domain.

“We are evaluating all kinds of use-cases on block-chain including document management. KYC and transaction processing, among others. However, it is early days for this and we have not yet come across mature models in India that can be implemented. We are also interested in network block-chain where multiple banks come together for block-chain technology," said Chugh.

Kochi-based ASIMOV Robotics has helped the bank with the robot creation. This company is a single window solution and services provider that aims to meet all robotics/automation needs.

For HDFC Bank, the focus is also on rural areas and Chugh said that they are looking to partner with financial technology companies in these areas.

The bank, in its second edition of the Digital Innovation Summit, is also inviting ideas from startups and fintech companies in the areas of Internet of Things, virtual reality, block-chain, rural fin-tech, among others. The top five ideas selected will be evaluated to give the respective companies an opportunity to partner with HDFC Bank. Chugh said that innovations would be introduced in areas like mobile banking, branch automation, cyber security and customer experience.

Post demonetisation, Chugh said that even those who were reluctant earlier to adopt digital transactions, are now going cashless. The new customers going digital primarily involves those who have access on feature phones. He said that they are exploring use of AI in areas of customer experience, customer service, marketing, process automation.

Last year, City Union Bank had launched its humanoid Lakshmi which was an artificial intelligence powered robot. This robot was able to speak English, gesture and engage in a life-like manner in conversations. It was enabled to interact with customers on segments like account balance and interest rates on loans.