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NCR Atleos Advances Dual-Sided ATM Concept with AI-Assisted Design, Sustainability and Operational Efficiency

By Lauren Towner · 28 January 2026

NCR Atleos Advances Dual-Sided ATM Concept with AI-Assisted Design, Sustainability and Operational Efficiency
WHY THIS MATTERS:This dual-sided ATM concept from Atleos represents a crucial evolution in the traditionally slow-moving self-service banking sector. Its core significance lies in the convergence of two major industry drivers: relentless pressure for operational efficiency and the strategic deployment of Artificial Intelligence. By utilizing AI for form factor optimization, not just software analytics, the company addresses the rising demand for sustainable infrastructure—achieving a smaller physical footprint and shared componentry (safes and PC core) that significantly reduces weight, cost, and complexity. This design doubles the potential transaction throughput from a single machine, directly improving financial access and service availability in high-demand areas. Furthermore, the explicit separation of AI from the transaction software stack speaks directly to banking regulators’ concerns, showing a path for hardware innovation that does not compromise security or compliance, providing a blueprint for the ethical integration of AI into physical financial technology. NCR Atleos Corporation (NYSE: NATL) (“Atleos”), a leader in expanding self-service financial access for financial institutions, retailers and consumers, announced an advancement in the dual-sided ATM concept, leveraging company expertise and AI-assisted design, to optimize form factor, sustainability and efficiency. Atleos has created a radically improved design, with the support of AI, that reduces footprint, shares critical components and enhances operational performance. The result is a smarter, more sustainable concept featuring:
  • Two functional ATM screens positioned on opposite sides of the device for simultaneous customer transactions
  • Shared safes and PC core, reducing cost, weight and complexity compared to legacy dual-sided designs
  • AI-assisted creation of form factor and lattice-style cladding for structural strength, durability and customizable aesthetics including light-emitted color on the exterior of the device
  • 3D-printed components for reduced weight, manufacturing waste and rapid prototyping
“This is an energizing evolution,” said Sean Mallean, head of global innovation at Atleos. “We have reimagined the dual-sided ATM with the support of AI to deliver a smaller footprint, shared componentry and sustainable materials—creating a concept that aligns with modern banking needs.”  This approach demonstrates innovation with the support of AI by Atleos—focused on design evolution, without embedding AI into ATM software stacks, ensuring security and compliance remain uncompromised.  This Atleos dual-sided ATM remains in proof-of-concept phase and is not on the current research and development roadmap for commercialization. FF NEWS TAKE: While still in the proof-of-concept phase, this design does move the needle for the ATM industry, primarily by challenging competitors to accelerate their own sustainability and design-led innovation programs. The question is no longer if AI will touch the ATM, but where. We should watch for how quickly Atleos moves this from a concept to the commercial ATM-as-a-Service roadmap, as its success will hinge on the speed of deployment and the bank-side total cost of ownership reduction. The next logical step will be competitor announcements that similarly integrate AI and  

Companies in this story: NCR Atleos

People in this story: Sean Mallean

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