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LCD Restaurant Table: Check Out the Menu in 3D
Posted by Sean Fallon at 12:00 PM on March 13, 2008
When I look at a menu in a restaurant, even one with pictures, making a decision about what to order can be difficult. Sometimes you just need to see what you are getting into before you commit. The folks at TEC Japan have been working on a device that can assist the picky eater by rendering items chosen on a digital menu in 3D right at your table. There is even a novelty function that will procure a 3D beef patty when a hamburger bun is placed on the menu.
There is no telling when this technology might make its way into restaurants, but my guess is that it won't be popular in fast food establishments. Seeing a perfectly constructed hamburger in 3D then being confronted with the cold hard reality moments later will not be good for business. [CScout Japan via The Raw Feed]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
brundlefly76
Posted 1:40 PM 13/3/08
Anyone who has worked in the restaurant business will tell you that there isn't exactly a lot of capital for equipping and equipping tables with custom technology, much less making sure that menu changes are summarily photographed and digitized in a timely fashion.
This will never fly in ordinary US restaurants.
Would be nice at a high-end restaurant though like Per Se or other expensive restaurants with unique creations.
US Fast food restaurant it makes no sense - why would you be sitting at a table *before* you ordered?
brundlefly76
tidybowl
Posted 1:40 PM 13/3/08
So when it looks like:
[images.businessweek.com]
on the table's 3D menu, and it gets to your table and looks like:
[upload.wikimedia.org]
You think people will have a problem with that?
You think they'll say "hey - I didn't order THAT, I ordered THIS" and point at the lovely 3D rendered image on their table?
What restaurant would want to employ this? It'd cost a lot of money - and result in a lot of headaches.
Go back to the plastic food display in the window they use in Japan.
[www.traveladdicts.connectfree.co.uk]
tidybowl
rgshredder
Posted 1:40 PM 13/3/08
wouldn't fly in the states...us fatties will try and eat the table
rgshredder
klaybc
Posted 1:40 PM 13/3/08
In Japan, the fast food product looks surprisingly similar to the menu board photos. Go, Mos Burger!
klaybc
Mandatory_Field
Posted 3:28 PM 13/3/08
God forbid you had the flu, and threw up on the table... the kitchen would think that's what you ordered....
Mandatory_Field
homerjay
Posted 12:01 AM 14/3/08
"Yaa da poppin' corn is popping in your face inna...3D!"
Anyone?? Anyone?
homerjay
striggity
Posted 2:09 AM 14/3/08
@rgshredder:
LOL!!! XD
striggity
lladnar
Posted 11:01 AM 14/3/08
Isn't this sorta what restaurants plan on doing with Microsoft's Surface?
lladnar