1) Customer identification:
For this model, the classes made by the teachable machine software will generate unique customer profiles in the system that has collected data for their preferred coffee bend and payment methods. This profile will have the details of the cup size and type for each individual. When the customer arrives the system via a high-resolution camera will identify the customer and the cup. If the cup is different from the data fed into the model, then the system will display a message on the screen, a prompt for confirmation or via mobile app asking the customer if they would like to proceed with the order or change their usual preference in terms of amount or blend and if the cup size is large there will be extra charges deducted. With completely unrecognised cups the system will flag the order temporarily and ask for manual input.
After the confirmation from a customer, the AI-driven system will prepare the coffee blend. The payment method known to the model is automatic debiting will process. The system will calculate the price based on the ingredients and quantities of the blend and cup size. For this, the customer account details can be pre-authorised and the system will debit the calculated amount after preparation. The deduction can be done via a linked credit/ debit card or a digital wallet and the transaction receipt will be sent to the customer's mobile app.
The Customers
The target customers for the automated coffee shop include;
- The Regular Coffee Drinkers- The individuals who habitually drink coffee or frequently visit coffee shops with their established favourite order.
- Tech-savvy customers can be a very attractive and trendsetting option for individuals who embrace technology as a means of convenience in their everyday lives either to reduce manual effort or save time.
- Local Businesses- There are many local businesses or corporate clients who need bulk orders or subscriptions for organised orders and purchases for their employee coffee services.
By engaging and targeting such a diverse consumer body, the coffee shop can build a loyal customer base and enhance retention due to its automated service while attracting new customers due to its innovative and trendsetting approach and services.
The Disruption
The automated coffee shop and the implementation of AI- an AI-driven model can disrupt the traditional coffee shops and their services as it will remove any need for long waiting lines and provide personalised customer services, enhanced personalised customer experience increasing customer satisfaction and retention. This automation implementation, will challenge the traditional coffee establishments and require them to innovate or rethink their service model which will initiate a transition on a huge scale in the café industry potentially. The competitors in the market will be adopting similar models and technologies as they can risk losing a massive market share to those who implement innovation in their services and provide efficient options.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The platform-based business model will be suitable for the automated coffee shop. It is a business model that creates value by facilitating exchange between two or more interdependent groups generally consumers and producers. Such exchanges happen through platforms that incorporate a large number of users and resources that can be accessed on demand (Veile et al., 2022). Through this strategy the business will be able to leverage the customer data that helps with analyzing data from various customers to evaluate performance and process, helping to set strategic goals and guideline improvements in personalized marketing and promotional efforts. After running the analytics with the AI-driven model the preference and consumer behaviour will be recognized and the café will be able to offer customer-centered services curated for individuals specifically, improving customer engagement and satisfaction. Such data-driven insights will help the establishment of continuous innovation and enhancement in the service delivery that help the business to remain a leader in the competitive market and increasingly AI-driven world.
