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Fast food chains were promised a revolution: AI taking over drive-thru lanes, streamlining orders, and cutting labor costs. Now, Presto Automation, a leading provider in this technology, is facing some roadblocks, and it isn’t looking good.
This comes despite Presto initially boasting big names like OpenAI as investors.
The company is reportedly bleeding money, having difficulties paying their investors, and losing contracts with several major fast food chains.
AI in the Drive-Thru
Over the past few years, fast food chains have been implementing AI, or voice recognition technology into their workflow, some brands like Chipotle are taking this a step further, using actual robots to cut down on the time it takes for “humans” to complete a task.
One of the robots in action named “Autocado” is currently being tested at a location in Irvine, CA. The machine cores, cuts, and peels avocados so a worker doesn’t have to, and has many times the output over its flesh and blood colleague.
Presto Automation serves AI to major fast food chains in the drive-thru including to Checkers and Rally’s, Del Taco, and both Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s.
Other chains like McDonald’s, White Castle, Wendy’s and Panera Bread are testing similar technology.
While the technology can handle basic orders, it crumbles under the complexities of human interaction. Studies show a completion rate of only 30% without human intervention… and that’s with the technologies most advanced version. Funny anecdotes abound on social media, with customers receiving bizarre orders or struggling to communicate their requests through the AI.
As AI’s limitations have become exposed, fast food chains reveal humans are still needed on 70% of orders. And now major chains like Del Taco, Applebee’s, Chili’s, and Red Lobster are reportedly not renewing their contracts with the company. Despite Del Taco previously saying the technology was “exceeding expectations”.
The Human Touch is Still King
While AI holds promise for streamlining tasks, it seems the fast-food landscape isn’t quite ready for a robot takeover. The need for human interaction, especially for handling special requests or complex orders, remains paramount.
This doesn’t signal the end of AI in drive-thrus but highlights the need for further development. Focusing on improved natural language processing and understanding the nuances of human communication will be crucial.
