There have been many fast food restaurants. Experimenting with artificial intelligence In recent months, many have been trying to figure out how to use emerging technology to increase sales and increase efficiency. Very The restaurant Chains What is the test? AI-assisted drive-thru lanebut one AI company’s recent struggles illustrate the model’s potential shortcomings.
Presto Automation provides AI solutions — specifically voice recognition technology — to several major fast-food chains. Checkers and releases, Taco’s, and both Carl Jr. and Hardy. Presto’s voice bots are in use at 145 Hardy’s, Carl’s Jr., and I. Wiener schnitzel Restaurant till February 1, 2024. Restaurant business Reports The company also supplies digital ordering tablets to casual restaurant chains. Applebee’s, of pepperAnd Red Lobster.
But Presto has struggled to please investors recently. The company is running out of money and has to figure out how to pay its creditors $6 million this month. To make matters worse, Presto is losing its biggest clients.
Fast food chains waffle on AI solutions
Del Tico began using Presto’s voice in its drive-thru lane in 2022 and said in early 2023 that the technology “exceeded expectations.” Del Taco plans to expand the use of tech in the restaurant business, with more than 600 of its restaurant locations. Reported On time. But now Del Taco has made a decision. Stop using technology in his restaurant..
Presto’s technology uses AI voice recognition to take orders in the drive-thru lane, but a significant part of the process still requires the involvement of an actual employee. The bot takes the order from the customer, but it’s still the employees’ responsibility to enter the order and ensure its accuracy. Voice assistant technology has gone through several iterations, but even its latest version is completing only 30% of orders without human assistance.
Other chains such as The White Castle And McDonald’s has even tested AI voice recognition in its drive-thru lane. However, from a customer perspective these new technologies have been a mixed bag. When McDonald’s first tried a similar tech in one of its drive-thru lanes, Internet users Roast the bots online. For misinterpreting their orders.
Presto’s AI-powered voice recognition has been the company’s flagship offering since its launch — but even its bespoke tablets have apparently failed to impress in the long run. Applebee’s, Chili’s, and Red Lobster have all confirmed they will not renew their contracts with Presto.
Presto’s leadership is visible nonetheless. Optimistic about the future. “We are experiencing significant interest today from franchise operators who are interested in talking to us about voice AI,” Presto CEO Xavier Casanova said in a November 2023 statement. “We look forward to widespread adoption of our Presto Voice AI solution across North America as brands and franchises embrace this new reality.”
A version of this article originally appeared on The Takeout..
Credit : qz.com
