McDonald’s has decided to end its partnership with IBM to test automated Drive Thru ordering. This decision will result in the removal of the technology from over 100 restaurants by July 26. According to Mason Smoot, director of restaurants at McDonald’s USA, the company believes there is an opportunity to explore voice ordering solutions more broadly. As a result, they will be turning off the technology in all restaurants currently testing it by July 26, 2024.
McDonald’s has been testing voice AI for vehicles since 2021, and the company plans to continue evaluating its options. Smoot stated that they will make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution by the end of the year. This move marks a shift in McDonald’s testing of AI technology for Drive Thru ordering and reflects their commitment to exploring new solutions for their customers.
The decision to end the partnership with IBM comes after successes in the testing of automated Drive Thru ordering. McDonald’s believes that there is an opportunity to expand their use of voice ordering solutions and will be focusing on this moving forward. The company’s commitment to innovation and providing a seamless customer experience is evident in their decision to explore new technologies for their restaurants.
As McDonald’s continues to evaluate its plans for implementing voice ordering solutions, customers can expect to see changes in how they interact with the Drive Thru. The company’s decision to end its partnership with IBM and focus on voice ordering solutions shows their dedication to providing cutting-edge technology for their customers. By the end of the year, McDonald’s plans to have a new voice ordering solution in place, further enhancing the customer experience at their restaurants.
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