(Yicai Global) March 10 -- Client Service International's robot designed to operate bank counters has received certification from an affiliate of the People's Bank of China, allowing the bot to directly replace bank tellers and serve in-branch customers.

The robots will allow staff to work without the need to touch banknotes, coins, or cash, the Beijing-based software firm said in a statement today, adding that banks will not need to physically modify counters to employ the bots -- who could eventually replace tellers.

Shares in the firm [SHE:300663] were up 3.77 percent at CNY25.30 (USD3.65) as of 1.32 p.m.

The certificate means the product has passed financial standardization tests outlined by the central bank, the firm added, saying many banks across China are already trialing the robots in branch. The company expects the robots, with the help of fifth-generation networking, could help 200,000 banks in the country accelerate their digital transformation.

Editor: James Boynton