Wendy's to test underground robot delivery for mobile orders

Wendy’s is piloting an underground autonomous robot system with the goal of delivering digital food orders from the kitchen to designated parking spots in seconds. (Provided photo / Wendy’s) DUBLIN, Ohio - Wendy’s is going underground.The fast-food chain this week announced a new partnership with Pipedream, a hyperlogistics company, to pilot an underground autonomous robot system that delivers mobile orders "in seconds."Instead of requiring employees to bring out digital food orders, a robotic system transports the orders underground – from the kitchen to awaiting customers in designated parking spots.RELATED: White Castle hiring robots to ‘give the right tools’ for serving more ‘hot and tasty food’Wendy’s said the goal is to streamline digital ordering and increase efficiencies for restaurant staff. "We know that serving orders quickly and accurately leads to increased customer satisfaction," Deepak Ajmani, the U.S.

chief operations officer at Wendy’s, said in a statement. "Pipedream's Instant Pickup system has the potential to unlock greater mobile order speed of service and accuracy, enabling us to consistently deliver hot and fresh Wendy's products to our fans."Wendy's said it plans to integrate Pipedream's underground delivery system into an existing restaurant later this year.

The company previously announced Wendy’s FreshAI, a new artificial intelligence technology it’s testing for the drive-thru – where a majority of its customers place orders.

The AI will "have conversations with customers, the ability to understand made-to-order requests and generate responses to frequently asked questions," according to Wendy’s.