【2005 Archives】

Kentucky Fried Chicken005 Archivesonce again showing how tech-savvy it is.

The fast food chain's Chinese division, reports TechCrunch, is partnering up with Baidu (essentially China's Google) to create a new tech-infused "smart restaurant" in Beijing that'll use kiosks with facial recognition technology to scan a customer's face and make food order suggestions based on their mood, age and gender.

SEE ALSO: KFC Japan offers two-finger plastic condoms so you can eat chicken like a civil person

The idea is either genius (it does all the decision-making for you!) or a terrible idea that could go wrong in so many ways.

In a press release, Baidu says a 20-something-year-old male might be recommended a "crispy chicken hamburger, roasted chicken wings and coke" meal for lunch. A female in her 50s, however, would be suggested "porridge and soybean milk for breakfast."

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

I'm sure KFC China's intentions are good, but why wouldn't it suggest porridge and soybean milk to a 20-year-old male or fried chicken to a 50-year-old senior? Sure, an older person should probably eat a healthier meal, but damnit, they're still people and who have cravings for batter-fried chicken, too.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

The kiosks can recognize repeat customers and make order suggestions based on what they've ordered in the past.

The creepiest part of the kiosks might be the facial imaging database it creates. Baidu says the facial recognition technology can recognize repeat customers and make order suggestions based on what they've ordered in the past. For me, that's going too far. I'm not down with KFC storing images of my face, even if it means knowing my condiment preference for drumsticks the next time I eat at the restaurant.

Customers will also be able to play augmented reality games by scanning a table sticker with their smartphones using the Mobile Baidu app.

The "smart restaurant" isn't KFC China's first attempt at fusing new technologies with its fast food restaurants.

Earlier this year, KFC China and Baidu teamed up for an "Original+" restaurant in Shanghai that lets customers make orders using Baidu's cute little Duer robot. You can see how it works in the video below.

All of this doesn't even include other weird stunts from KFC's other branches, like Japan's two-finger plastic chicken "condoms", a meal box that charges your phone while you eat, Bluetooth keyboard trays and more.

---

Featured Video For You

---

The future of selfies is this camera drone with facial recognition

---

Topics Facial Recognition

• Social Good
• Tech
• Games
• Science
• Digital Culture
• Entertainment
• Life
• Deals

• 8 Years Later: Does the GeForce GTX 580 Still Have Game in 2018?
• Cam Newton's mom reads a passage from 'Watership Down' in new Under Armour ad
• Powerful illustration perfectly sums up the pressures women face
• Apple's iPhone 7 just singlehandedly killed the 'hand me the aux cord' meme
• Things Intel Needs to Fix
• If Apple can't keep its secrets, who can?
• Jason Alexander is a Star Trek trivia genius
• Apple gives you a dongle to lose in consolation for killing the headphone jack
• Every MCU movie villain ranked, from "Iron Man" to "Thunderbolts*"
• Apple unveils iPhone 7 and 7 Plus without headphone jack

• 6 films about being single that are actually relatable
• This cop cannot help busting some sick moves when the beat drops at a festival
• Good guy Prince Harry releases five baby turtles into the sea
• 13 hauntingly beautiful photos of Tokyo in the snow
• Donald Trump directs his Sunday morning Twitter rant at #Recount2016
• Las Vegas Gaming Control Board takes a gamble on esports betting
• Trump had a surprisingly simple reaction to Fidel Castro's death
• 30 holiday cards for family members with a sense of humor
• Selena Gomez breaks social media silence with heartfelt Instagram post
• Someone renamed NYC's Trump Tower 'Dump Tower' on Google Maps

• Waitin’ on the Student Debt Jubilee
• Couple celebrated 57 years of marriage with 'Notebook' inspired photoshoot
• Joyful kid's carefree dance moves will give you life
• Artist and mom of twins harmoniously pairs working and breastfeeding
• Best tablet deal: Get the Google Pixel Tablet for $120 off at Amazon
• Facebook changes Like buttons to celebrate Star Trek's 50th anniversary
• Dos Equis debuts younger, Spanish
• Star Trek at 50: You made me who I am
• SpaceX's BFR has a new name. Elon Musk is calling it Starship.
• The queens of 'Broad City' stumble upon small rural town of Yass

• NYT Connections hints and answers for May 18: Tips to solve 'Connections' #707.
• Not even humble candy corn is safe from the brunch trend
• River turns red in Russia just like in your worst Biblical nightmare
• Dos Equis debuts younger, Spanish
• Virtual Reality: The True Cost of Admission (and Why It Doesn't Matter)
• Artist and mom of twins harmoniously pairs working and breastfeeding
• Dos Equis debuts younger, Spanish
• The queens of 'Broad City' stumble upon small rural town of Yass
• NYT Strands hints, answers for May 1
• Buzzfeed Motion Pictures originals headed to YouTube Red