Ollie is the new AI drive-thru operator voice for Oliver’s healthy fast-food restaurant, but there’s something different with him.
This AI voice operator provides contextual, conversational, and unscripted two-way interaction.
You can ask questions like how the food is prepared and let the kids get involved.
How is Ollie different? It’s integrated with Prepit food management software, which allows it to recommend products, respond to dietary preferences, and answer questions about ingredients and allergens in real-time.
Ollie blending tradition with tech
It’s a blend of tradition and smart technology. Oliver’s says its goal is to “deliver improved convenience and service” to customers on the go.
“Our newest team member, Ollie, has been developed in partnership with Sodaclick. It will take drive-thru orders at our Pheasants Nest Southbound store.”
While some have raised concerns about artificial intelligence taking over a human’s job, the company says this is to enhance the drive-thru experience. “To let the team focus on creating nourishing healthy whole foods and a memorable experience for our valued customers.”
Ollie, a two-way conversation
What makes Ollie unique? He can speak with an Australian accent and display detailed menu information. It can also detail the ingredients and allergens to help customers make informed decisions based on their dietary needs.
One of Oliver’s main focuses is healthy choices in setting the brand apart. The new AI feature can help people make more insightful decisions about feeding their families more nutritious food on the go.
AI restaurants: A problem or solution?
A recent whitepaper by Food and Beverage Accelerator, Food AI: A game changer for Australia’s food and beverage sector, describes AI as a transformative tool for the Australian food sector.
“Empathy, design thinking, critical thinking, and creativity will be a key focus to ensure that staff can thrive with robots while maintaining a point of ‘human’ difference,” says Dr Alexandra Kris from the University of Queensland Business School.
The report highlights that personalized interaction, traditionally the task of human employees, “can greatly improve the dining experience.”
It also emphasizes that AI can make restaurants safer and customers make more informed, healthy decisions.
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Photo credit: Oliver’s
About the author
Mia is a multi-award-winning journalist. She has more than 14 years of experience in mainstream media. She's covered many historic moments that happened in Africa and internationally. She has a strong focus on human interest stories, to bring her readers and viewers closer to the topics at hand.
