Drivers may soon be able to order food using their car navigation systems en route to restaurants with drive-thru service. A group of 26 private-sector firms, including McDonald's Holdings Co. (Japan) (2702), and the government-backed Highway Industry Development Organization will test a service that makes use of so-called intelligent transport systems.
Eight cars will be employed in a test at a McDonald's store in Ibaraki Prefecture on March 5-16. When vehicles enter a region covered by an ITS -- which offers real-time traffic data and other information -- a McDonald's menu will be transmitted to car navigation systems, allowing users to order items via the touch screen.
Users can pay with their credit cards through ITS-compatible devices in their cars. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (7011) and Panasonic System Networks Co. will manage ITS and point-of-sales terminals used in the test. Toyota Motor Corp. (7203) and Pioneer Corp. (6773) will supply ITS equipment and car navigation systems.
Users can pay with their credit cards through ITS-compatible devices in their cars. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (7011) and Panasonic System Networks Co. will manage ITS and point-of-sales terminals used in the test. Toyota Motor Corp. (7203) and Pioneer Corp. (6773) will supply ITS equipment and car navigation systems.
Such financial institutions as Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co. will also participate. In the suburbs, roughly 90% of newly built McDonald's restaurants will feature drive-thrus. The company believes that cutting the time for ordering and handing over products will attract customers averse to waiting in lines.
An official at the Highway Industry Development Organization said that the service could spread to other retailers and restaurants once ITS equipment comes into widespread use and compatible credit card payment systems become established.
(Nikkei)
An official at the Highway Industry Development Organization said that the service could spread to other retailers and restaurants once ITS equipment comes into widespread use and compatible credit card payment systems become established.
(Nikkei)
