In this implementation of a robot-based conversational commerce solution, MasterCard has partnered with SoftBank, renowned for Pepper the robot, to implement a voice assisted order & pay solution for Pizza Hut:
“Today, Mastercard and SoftBank Robotics Corp. are making that a reality with the launch of a voice-based commerce application for a humanoid robot at Pizza Hut Singapore’s SAFRA Punggol outlet.
Not only will the robot developed by SoftBank Robotics help Pizza Hut diners with their menu choices and make personalized recommendations, but it is also powered by Mastercard’s Connected Device API to enable consumers to make fast, simple and secure digital payments using Masterpass.
To get started, consumers simply have to greet the robot and pair their Masterpass account embedded in the Pizza Hut Singapore mobile app to enjoy a seamless checkout experience.”
Of course all these technologies had to be integrated:
“Taking a step forward into the realm of conversational commerce, Mastercard also worked with robotics and artificial intelligence firm, Teksbotics, to combine voice-based, interface technologies for the robot, that are connected with Mastercard’s own secure payment services. The result is a safe and easy voice-assisted commerce experience with the potential to be adopted across various environments – from retail to restaurants like Pizza Hut and beyond.”
The article doesn’t identify the languages Pepper understands, and while most Singaporeans speak English they also speak Mandarin, Malay and Cantonese.
Overview by Tim Sloane, VP, Payments Innovation at Mercator Advisory Group
Read the quoted story here