Being from the Northeast, I have no idea what Zaxby’s is, but apparently, this fast-food chicken restaurant has started using technology to make their operations more efficient.

The computer program, called Hyperactive Bob, runs on Windows technology, a touch screen display and tv line cameras. According to the HyperActive Technologies website, the total equipment costs are less than $3,000 and the software is priced via a monthly licensing fee.

It has a number of features going for it including:

Sensing the environment:
The system uses robotic vision to count the cars in the parking lot, gathers feedback from employees and collects point-of-sale information in real time.

Artificial Intelligence:
Hyperactive Bob analyzes historical and real-time data to learn about each restaurant individually. Hyperactive Technologies claims that HB is more accurate than most seasoned employees.

Taking Charge:
Hyperactive Bob uses touch screens to tell employees what to do. Employees are instructed how much of which foods to cook; when the food is ready, they tell HB.

The systems have been tested in McDonald’s and Burger King, but Zaxby’s is the company’s first big client. The system was created by former Carnegie Mellon University researcher, Kerien Fitzpatrick, who designed the robotic technology to analyze its environment and make a decision.

Using a small mounted camera on the restaurant’s roof, “Bob” spots vehicles entering the parking lot. It then considers how much food is already prepared and how many employees are needed before telling the kitchen when and what to throw on the grill or put in the fryer. “Bob” also sizes up the vehicles — a big SUV could mean more food to prepare, a run-of-the-mill sedan likely would mean less.

I don’t know if these systems are actually installed in the Zaxby’s restauants, but the idea is very interesting. For any of you Southerners - how well does this work?