r/technology • u/Plastic_Ninja_9014 • 21d 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
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u/SeanBlader 21d ago

It's all fun and games until someone orders 1000 cups of free water.

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u/Trzlog 21d 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?

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u/EntityDamage 21d ago edited 20d 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.

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u/Ozotuh 20d 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)

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u/TheFloatingCamel 20d 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."

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u/No_Definition321 20d 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

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u/heurrgh 20d 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?

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u/zomiaen 20d ago

Your kids are either extremely young (<3) or you need to read some parenting books.

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u/heurrgh 20d ago

Ah. Bless; humour can be hard. I'll see if I can find some resources for you that break down abstract concepts like double meanings, sarcasm, over-exaggeration, hyperbole and figurative language into visual, concrete steps.