What is AI voice ordering?
AI voice ordering is a procedure of utilizing technologies as voice assistants for restaurants, typically to order meals and/or list certain expectations for the dining out visit. This system usually employs voice technology on the basis of AI to process users’ spoken language and interpret it to boost the restaurant’s performance.
AI ordering systems are becoming more in demand due to lower costs and more flexible business solutions.
How does voice ordering work?
Although every restaurant AI voice technology has its specifics, below is the typical mechanism behind voice AI innovation.
- Speech recognition. Once users have downloaded the app, visited the website, or approached the drive-thru, they interact with a restaurant voice assistant. Then, the system captures the voice with a microphone and transcribes the information into written text using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) or Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs).
- Interpreting the message. When the AI ordering system perceives the text, it sends the message to its Natural Language Processing (NLP) system via an API call. Then, it decodes the words semantically and syntactically and finds the primary theme in them.
- Dialogue continuation. To ensure a smooth conversation, voice artificial intelligence powers interactions with customers while it sends the order further to the system.
- Ordering systems integration. AI-based voice ordering systems send the message down the line and interact with backend servers. It triggers the start of order preparation using the already existing tasks integrated into this model.
- Response. Restaurant ordering systems confirm the order or inquire further about the meal or reservation. The system collects the data about the customer necessary to process the order.
- Order completion. The message is sent to the staff, who start working on the order.
Benefits of AI voice ordering system
The benefits of implementing voice AI are numerous since AI voice ordering systems enhance both the customer and business experience:
- Fostered productivity. Voice ordering for restaurants helps them complete orders faster and partially alleviates pressure off the waiters and cashiers.
- Scalability. Voice AI-based ordering solutions adjust and adapt together with the restaurant or restaurant chain. They can change and expand together with the business. Moreover, a cloud-based model is typically used to preserve client data and the pre-programmed commands will be transferred across the entire system.
- Customer loyalty. In a growing competition worldwide, restaurants that adopt voice ordering technology will remain at the forefront of the brands that constantly improve with new tech solutions. Clients typically choose restaurants with novel propositions, which will contribute to their satisfaction and long-term relationships.
- Personalization and smart learning. Implementing voice assistants often involves machine learning in studying the clients’ needs and demands which can make every ordering experience client-centered.
Challenges of adapting AI voice ordering systems
Despite the benefits of an AI voice ordering system, its use can be quite complex.
- Employee resistance. Many workers can be unwilling to shift to restaurant AI voice ordering or struggle with new technologies.
- Pricing. While AI-assisted voice ordering is already much cheaper than before, small businesses may find it difficult to afford.
- Integration issue. Restaurant voice ordering can fail if a company does not possess the technical and software capabilities to implement the change.
- Cultural barriers. In certain geographical regions, users are not used to voice AI ordering and may prefer face-to-face interactions with people.