Americans pulling into a Starbucks drive-thru might think they are being served by a friendly staff member. But at some locations, the voice listening to the order is actually an AI robot.
Behind the counter inside the store, baristas can lean on a virtual personal assistant to recall recipes or manage schedules.
In the back of the shop, a scanning tool has taken on the painstaking process of counting the inventory, relieving staff of one of retail's most tedious chores, in a bid to fix the out-of-stock gaps that have frustrated the firm.
The new technology is part of the hundreds of millions of dollars the 55-year-old coffee giant has been investing as it tries to win back customers after several years of struggling sales. There are signs that the effort is working.
Last week, the company reported its first sales increase in two years at established stores in the US - its biggest and most important market, accounting for some 70% of revenue.
But the firm's share price slid 5% reflecting investor concerns that all the spending, which includes $500m (£363m) to boost staffing, had hurt profits. Chief executive Brian Niccol says he is confident that consistent sales growth will ultimately address that problem.
Starbucks is also investing in enhancing the personal touch, such as encouraging staff to handwrite names on cups and refurbishing stores for a more inviting atmosphere. Niccol emphasizes the importance of a blend between technology and the genuine customer experience.
With plans to double its global footprint and navigate its ongoing labor disputes, Starbucks aims to become a more efficient and customer-focused brand while sustaining its community roots.
