A collaboration between LUMS University and Allied Bank aims to explore the use of robotics and human-robot interaction (HRI) in banking services, with trials expected in customer-facing environments.
Officials said the agreement was signed between the bank’s group head for digital transformation and innovation, Muhammad Zaman, and Dr Suleman Shahid, associate professor and director of a research lab at the university.
As part of the initiative, a Pepper robot has been installed at the lab to support research and development of robotics-based applications. The project will focus on areas such as customer interaction, service delivery and assistive banking.
Selected solutions will be tested in real-world settings, including digital banking lounges, to assess usability and customer response.
A joint steering group will oversee the project, with expected outcomes including prototypes, pilot studies and research publications.
Dr Shahid said the collaboration would help translate research into practical applications, while Mr Zaman noted that the initiative was part of broader efforts to explore emerging technologies in banking services.