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CaliBurger and NEC launch facial recognition self-serve kiosks

December 20, 2017

Cali Group and NEC Corporation of America have unveiled new artificial intelligence enabled self-ordering kiosks using facial recognition at CaliBurger, Cali Group's restaurant operating division, according to a press release.

The kiosk pilot program is now at CaliBurger's Pasadena location, where the QSR chain showcases new technologies developed by its parent company.

The kiosks use NEC's NeoFace facial recognition software to identify registered customers and pull up their loyalty accounts and order preferences. If customers are pleased with the new ordering experience, the kiosks will be rolled out to CaliBurger's global locations next year. Also in 2018, the platform will be used to enable customers to pay using their faces.   

Customers will have the option of immediately activating their loyalty accounts as they approach the kiosks without needing to swipe a card or type in identifying information. The loyalty account shows a customer's favorite historical meal packages, enabling the customer to complete the ordering transaction in a matter of seconds. 

"Face-based loyalty significantly reduces the friction associated with loyalty program registration and use; further, it enables a restaurant chain like CaliBurger to provide a customized, one-on-one interactive experience at the ordering kiosk," John Miller, chairman and CEO of Cali Group, said in the press release. "Our goal for 2018 is to replace credit card swipes with face-based payments. Facial recognition is part of our broader strategy to enable the restaurant and retail industries to provide the same kinds of benefits and conveniences in the built world that customers experience with retailers like Amazon in the digital world.”

In addition to using facial recognition to enhance and improve the customer experience in restaurants, Cali Group is pioneering AI and robotics to automate kitchen equipment and monitor the dining area; social gaming for entertainment in the dining area; and infrastructure for autonomous vehicles to deliver fresh food.