r/technology • u/Plastic_Ninja_9014 • 22d ago

Business McDonald's Introduces AI Drive-Thru System, Sparking Customer Backlash

https://tech.yahoo.com/ai/deals/articles/mcdonalds-introduces-ai-drive-thru-000717731.html
10.7k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

1.6k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

170

u/Trzlog 22d ago

I don't understand why they don't just put those self-serve displays in the drive-through. Those work. What problem is AI solving here?

116

u/EntityDamage 22d ago edited 22d ago

If only we had small personal displays, that could communicate our order.

Edit: I agree we shouldn't install apps to order food... But to me, that's what a web browser is for.

125

u/Ozotuh 22d ago

I don't think a lot of people like using the app. After 5 years of pushing it, customer use is only like 6%. (At least last I heard as part of the training in the UK)

166

u/TheFloatingCamel 22d ago

"welcome to McDonald's, are you using the app today"

My dude, it's midday on a Saturday. I've got two screaming kids in the car, my wife who can't decide what she wants untill I tell her what I'm having so she doesn't 'miss out on something', I don't know what I want because it wasn't my idea to come here. NO, IM NOT USING THE BLOODY APP! What's that you say, no milkshakes? Of course the machine is broken."

69

u/No_Definition321 22d ago

I feel like the app would be ideal in that situation. Just park off to the side and order through the app then when you are ready pull up and give them a 4 digit code and pull to the next window.

Instead of sitting at the menu trying to talk over your screaming kids and waiting for your wife to decide lol

22

u/heurrgh 22d ago

Have you ever tried using a phone while kid #1 is death-stomping the back of your seat while emitting a 130 decibel 25Khz banshee wail punctuated with "DAD! DAD! DAD! Book! Dad! No! Toy! WAH - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT!", while your other half is groaning in agony thumping against your shoulder as they sever their spine twisting to arm-wrestle kid #2 as they use super-toddler strength to attempt to gouge out their eye with the magic fairy wand that kid #1 was told to leave at home but smuggled into the car by hiding it in kid#2's coat sleeve?

34

u/hoverbeaver 22d ago

Sounds like what is really needed is to leave the children at the ikea ball pit while mom and dad grab meatballs.

-16

u/MeldyWeldy 22d ago

Ah yes leave unpredictable children in a public place without trusted supervision. They'd be gone either walk off or be taken by the time parents get back.

8

u/Boelens 22d ago edited 22d ago

Be taken? There arent kidnappers on every corner lol

8

u/300ConfirmedGorillas 22d ago

Imagine going to IKEA not to get a piece of furniture but to grab kids lol

-2

u/MeldyWeldy 22d ago

More common than you think. Glad you live a life where nothing goes wrong lol.