## 1 Introduction  
The adoption of robotic automation in the banking sector represents one of the most significant digital transformations in the financial industry, having a profound impact on the way banks structure their operations and deliver their services [1, 2]. The deployment of robots and automated technologies enables financial institutions to improve operational efficiency by reducing human error and speeding up transaction, document processing, and data management processes [3, 4]. At the same time, automation optimizes costs by reducing the need for human resources for repetitive and voluminous tasks, which contributes to significant savings in the long run [5]. Another major benefit of this technology is the increase in the quality of customer service by improving response times and providing personalized, fast, and efficient solutions [6, 7]. Thus, robot adoption in banking not only supports banks in meeting regulatory and security requirements but also enables them to remain competitive in an increasingly digitized and dynamic financial landscape [8, 9, 10]. Banking automation (Figure 1) includes both the _hardware component_, represented by mechatronic systems, such as automated teller machines (ATMs) and robots, and the _digitalcomponent_, which is based on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic process automation (RPA) solutions [11; 12; 13; 14]. Mechatronic systems combine mechanical, electronic, and control components with numerical computing systems, enabling intelligent motion control, ensuring the efficient and flexible operation of devices used in the banking sector [15; 16]. On the one hand, _hardware automation_ involves the use of mechatronic systems to optimize banking processes, reducing the need for direct interaction between customers and employees [17]. Automated teller machines (ATMs) have evolved significantly from simple cash withdrawal devices to complex systems that allow deposits, interbank transfers, currency exchange, and even video-assisted interactions [18; 19; 20]. In addition, the use of physical robots in bank branches to guide customers or provide information about financial products is becoming an increasingly common practice and has already been implemented in Japan and some European countries [21; 22]. These innovations contribute to better management of the bank's resources by automating repetitive processes and reducing the need for direct interaction between staff and customers, leading to significant savings in time and resources [23]. Moreover, the implementation of these advanced technologies optimizes transaction processing times and reduces the risk of human error, leading to greater accuracy in handling customer requirements [24; 25]. For example, ATMs that allow withdrawals as well as deposits and interbank transfers make these services available at any time, without the need for employee intervention, thus improving the bank's operational efficiency. Reducing the need for staff for routine administrative tasks also allows human resources to be allocated to activities that add more value, such as personalized financial advice. These technological advances not only optimize costs and internal processes, but also enhance the customer experience by providing fast, accessible, and high-quality services [26]. On the other hand, _software automation (digital components)_ uses AI-driven solutions and RPA to optimize internal processes and customer interactions [27; 28]. Banking chat  
Figure 1: Banking automation structure: the interaction between the mechatronic components and the digital components. Source: own processing. bots, built on Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning technologies, are increasingly being used to handle customer queries, reducing response times and streamlining banking relationships [29; 30; 31]. Robo-advisors are also increasingly replacing financial analysts in the process of providing investment recommendations, using predictive models based on the analysis of users' historical and behavioral data [32; 33].