The National Australia Bank has begun a trial of new-style ATMs which are said to use facial recognition software to enable customers to withdraw cash without a card or a phone.

While the ATMs are said to quickly recognise a user’s face, they also require the user to add a PIN number to complete the transaction

The trial will use Microsoft’s Azure platform, along with artificial intelligence software. The result, according to NAB, is that ATM withdrawals are quicker and easier, and may help guard against the fraudulent use of stolen cards and card-skimming.

Some of the proposed ATMs have been demonstrated at this week’s Sibos conference in Sydney.