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McDonald’s Korea launches voice-guided kiosks, a first in Asia

By Maria Santos
1 min read
McDonalds Deagu Korea
McDonalds Deagu Korea
In this article (5)

McDonald’s Korea has introduced voice-guided self-service kiosks at some of its Seoul locations, making it the first fast-food chain in South Korea to do so. They did this to make it easier for visually impaired customers to order.

These special kiosks, equipped with voice guidance software and touch pads, were first installed at 15 McDonald’s stores near centers that assist visually impaired individuals and schools for the blind. People with vision problems can plug in their own earphones to hear instructions and menus, even in noisy environments.

This move by McDonald’s in South Korea is the second of its kind, with the first being in the United States. It’s also a groundbreaking step for fast-food restaurants in South Korea. McDonald’s Korea plans to extend this service to all of its stores in the country.

A company representative emphasized their commitment to meeting the needs of visually impaired customers, noting that they had been working on this service for a long time.

Questions & Answers

Q.

Why has McDonald's Korea introduced voice-guided kiosks?

A.

McDonald's Korea implemented voice-guided kiosks to simplify the ordering process for visually impaired customers. This initiative aligns with their long-standing commitment to better serve the needs of this customer group, as stated by a company representative.

Q.

Which specific features do these new kiosks offer to assist visually impaired customers?

A.

The kiosks are equipped with voice guidance software and touchpads to help visually impaired customers. They can also plug in their own earphones to receive instructions and navigate menus clearly, even when the restaurant environment is noisy.

Q.

Where were these voice-guided kiosks initially installed in South Korea?

A.

These special kiosks were first installed at 15 McDonald's stores located close to centres that assist visually impaired individuals. They were also placed near schools specifically for the blind in the Seoul area, aiding initial accessibility.

Q.

Are there plans to roll out this technology across all McDonald's branches in South Korea?

A.

Yes, McDonald's Korea intends to extend this voice-guided kiosk service to all of its stores throughout the country. This expansion follows the initial launch in select Seoul locations and marks a significant step.

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