Firm Proposes Safer ATM Designs
March 29, 2005 | Levent OZLER
Inspired by a recent string of armed robberies at automated teller machines in north Raleigh, a local company has come up with new design for ATMs that officials say would increase safety.
"To use an ATM, you're kind of exposed, and you have a lot of blind spots," said Tom Mason, who has designed everything from toys to tools for Joel Whittenkamp Design.
Problems include drive-up machines that are fairly isolated, tinted glass on the sides of walk-up machines, which limit visibility, and a dearth of cameras that would help users see what is happening around them.
"One of the things that we felt was important was to give some power to the users of an ATM," Mason said.
His ideas for a safer ATM include making it low to the ground so people can see over the top of it and off to both sides. Also, he would install a three-stage panic button -- one push for more lighting, a second to activate a camera to record what's happening and a third to set off a siren or contact police.
Banking industry officials contacted by NBC-17 said they are doing everything they can to increase safety in the wake of the "Skeleton Robber" hold-ups.
Five ATM customers were robbed at gunpoint last month by a man wearing a skull mask. The cases remain under investigation.
more: nbc17.com/news/4262267/detail.html (237)
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