At this ATM in Abu Dhabi, your money really is as good as gold.    

The world's first ATM-style machine to dispense gold bars and coins is up and running in the UAE capital.            

The dispenser provides users with the latest prices from the gold markets, updating every 10 minutes through a computer system.   

The invention is the brain child of German entrepreneur Thomas Geissler.

[Thomas Geissler, “Gold To Go” Creator]: 

"When you buy with our machine you have always the last prices from gold markets on a 24 hour basis. You can check this, either by your i-Phone, or you can look at the screen on top of the machine and then you can control the prices, it's the first thing. We have guarantee every bar coming out is of 24-carat. It's German gold or Swiss gold."  

The exterior of the machine is coated with a thin layer of gold and offers customers 320 items to choose from, ranging from gold bars that can weigh up to 10 grams, to customised gold coins.    

The machine captured the interest of visitors of guests and visitors at the hotel, whether they wanted to buy or were simply curious.      

One visitor said the machine offered convenience.          

[Unidentified Visitor To Emirates Palace]:   

"It's a good idea; instead of going down to the gold souk and waste time trying to find parking, it's easier to just buy it from here."          

The cash for gold machines were first tested in Germany in 2009, but Geissler chose Abu Dhabi for the official launch due to the high demand for gold.       

And it seems that the time is right -- gold prices have risen of late as investors flock to it as a safe haven from economic turbulence.