Artificial intelligence, smart transportation technology can make travel better - "Hello New Era" large series live broadcast activities into Beijing Jiaotong University

Published on : 16 May 2019

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence in recent years, people's lifestyles and production methods have changed. At present, people are used to preparing their meals by themselves or even sit in front of a Michelin star chef to watch their food being prepared. In the future, these delicious food can possibly be served by robots. 

Artificial intelligence and innovative thinking today have increasingly shown impact on production methods in various fields. New applications have improved the user experience while simultaneously reducing labor costs; especially in the retail, processing and production, and the catering industry. 

On May 17th, under the guidance of the Mobile Network Administration of the Central Network Office and the assistance of the China Association of Artificial Intelligence (CAAI), a journalist from Guangming.com and Scienjoy, along with staff from Jingdong attended The Third World Intelligence Conference in Tianjin Eco-City.  A live streaming event was launched in JD X Future Restaurant there. 

The team from the restaurant shared how technology has changed our lives. As the first industrialized robotic restaurant in China, X Future Restaurant depends on X Division for its application of intelligent robotic solution and technology; covering all production flow and supply chain.

This live broadcast was aired in the Scienjoy’s platform, Lehai TV, Haixiu TV, as well as on the strategic partner platform such as Hongle TV and Creazybee TV. During the live streaming session, participants followed the guiding robot Xiaobao to take a tour in JingDong X future restaurant; learning the location of each area and the top ten special dishes of Jingdong X Future Restaurant. As a new generation of AI intelligent robots, Xiaobao has all the basic functions. It is complemented by a humanized voice and obstacle avoidance function. In the crowded and busy working environment of the restaurant, Xiaobao can optimize the way waiters/waitresses work and help the waiters/waitresses providing efficient services. Xiaobao also improves the dining experience for the customers.

During the live stream, Guangming.com and Scienjoy invited two employees from JingDong X's future restaurant team to introduce the restaurant in a more detailed manner. Additionally, Wang Chang, a public relations member from the X team, presented the smart vending machine, 3D food printers, smart cooking robots, intelligent food delivery robots, smart logistics vehicles, and other equipment to users.

According to Wang Chang, the vending machine in the X future restaurant has fully utilized the process of "start purchasing when the door is opened, complete the payment while closing the door" - which has not been fully implemented by any other vending machines. The 360-degree smart identification device installed in the vending cabinet also automatically records the product information. It then feeds the data back to the terminal as the customer opens and closes the door while simultaneously scanning the code of payment. The terminal directly performs debit payment through customers' mobile phone application; WeChat - simplifying the purchasing process. It also prevents false payments and occurences of forgetting to pay. Additionally, 3D food printers use simple 3D printing technology to meet the customers' needs for customized food styling and taste - an added value and fun factor, especially for the children.

Wang Chang added that smart cooking and intelligent food-delivery robots are the highlights of Jingdong X's future restaurant. Not only do the smart cooking robots understand the cooking process, but they also control the uniformity of the dishes, from the ingredients, seasonings, to the cooking process through a precise and programmed mechanism. It has dramatically eliminated the amount of workforce, material resources, and even energy. It further improves the quality of the dishes, allowing chefs more time and energy to design new recipes. 

The dish delivery robot recognizes the table that needs to be served systematically and intelligently. The humanized robots refine the dish serving process, which significantly reduces the cost of employees and saves the restaurant operation expenditure.

 

Wang Chang also tried on VR interactive experience games using goggles, somatosensory games, hologram screen, and other interactive functions on behalf of the users. He also introduced JD exclusively designed and manufactured high-tech, intelligent daily necessities on the JD digital exhibits display counter. The products exhibited accompanying robots, smart vacuum cleaners, and more. Customers acknowledged that these fun, easy, and interactive areas of the restaurant have greatly enhanced their dining experience.

During the live broadcast, viewers were very enthusiastic. They were not only interested in Jingdong X future restaurant's current condition, but also in the improvement, development, and promotion of the restaurant. To attend to this excitement, Guangming.com and Scienjoy invited another guest, Dr. Liang Junjun, the technical director of the Jingdong X Future Restaurant Team. He was present to answer questions for the viewers who watched the live broadcast. 

Dr. Liang mentioned that in terms of technology, production cost, and promotion cost of cooking robots, the current intelligent cooking robots are more suitable for large-scale businesses in the catering industry. Utilizing smart cooking robots to general households for daily cooking is not cost-efficient. However, the team may develop cooking robots for everyday cooking in the future.

Dr. Liang mentioned that the biggest problem of intelligent cooking robots was the enormous challenge brought by the Chinese cooking style. He mentioned that Chinese cuisine does not have standardized cooking procedures like Western cuisines. Although it has certain rules, the taste of the food relies more on the experiences of the chef. This is very unfavorable for the quantification and input of data. Therefore, although the current intelligent cooking robot can guarantee delicious food, it is not able to satisfy customers' higher expectations. Dr Liang said that in the future, the AI function in the robot might be able to realize the transformation of "smart cooking robot" to the "smart chef".

WIC (WORLD INTELLIGENCE CONGRESS) is being held by NDRC (National Development and Reform Commission), Ministry of Science and Technology, MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology), Cyberspace Administration of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, and the government of Tianjin in MJCEC (Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center).  The third WIC started on May 16th and ended on May 19th. 

As the display of intelligent competence and the significant cooperation projects between Singapore and China, CHINA-SINGAPORE TIANJIN ECO-CITY strives to build a future smart city, with JD X Restaurant being the first robot restaurant in the city. JD X Supermarket will also open close to X Restaurant, and JD distribution robots will be helping in the community around X Restaurant.

The team of JD X Restaurant and the JD partners recommended various activities to the audience during the livestream. They also shared the good news: the team may develop and launch even more dishes. This live activity attracted huge number of viewers and achieved a remarkable outcome. Through this program, the audience was exposed to and invited to embrace creative thinking, artificial intelligence, scientific and technological power, national brands, and the future life.