New Domino's App Uses Voice Recognition to Let You Order Pizza

Domino's has added a Siri-like system to its mobile app that aims to be your new pizza-ordering best friend. According to the press release (below), customers will now be able to place orders on the pizza chain's mobile app by talking to "an intelligent virtual assistant" named Dom. The platform — now in beta — is powered by tech company Nuance's Nina Mobile system and is said to deliver a "human-like, conversational customer service experience that allows users to speak an order and quickly add items to their cart." As the iTunes store description of the app notes, customers can simply open the app and say things like "I'd like a large pizza with extra cheese, pepperoni and onions" or "I'll take a 14-piece order of Hot Wings." The Associated Press points out that customers will only have to type when putting in their credit card information for payment.

Adding voice recognition technology to the company's app makes sense: According to the AP, mobile and online ordering accounts for around 40% of Domino's US sales. The chain's CEO Patrick Doyle said in an interview that "people who order digitally also tend to spend more and return with greater frequency because they like the convenience." The press release confirms that the app has been downloaded over 10 million times.

Domino's fancies itself to be a "technology trailblazer": This update comes just a couple of months after Domino's launched a new iPad app which introduced a 3D "realistic pizza builder." The feature allows customers a "more realistic view" of what their pizza will look like. Dom, the new voice command option for the pizza chain's mobile app, is now available in beta format; current Android and iPhone users just need to download the latest update to be able to use the feature. See the press release:

Domino's Pizza® Continues as Technology Trailblazer, Launches Voice Ordering for its iPhone® and Android™ Apps

Domino's Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, continues to advance technology. In conjunction with Nuance Communications (NASDAQ: NUAN), Domino's is launching voice ordering for its iPhone and Android apps.

"There will be a day when typing on keyboards or with thumbs on mobile devices will come to a close; we want to be the ones who continue to advance the technology experience – hand-in-hand with our customers," said Patrick Doyle, Domino's Pizza president and CEO. "Our mobile app users who are a part of this launch are truly helping set the foundation for the innovations of today, that will soon enough become the standards of tomorrow."

The platform, in partnership with Nuance, will redefine technology convenience – and puts Domino's at the forefront of an intuitive ordering method that is a true first within both traditional and e-commerce retail.

Domino's new voice ordering platform is powered by Nuance's Nina Mobile, an intelligent virtual assistant that leverages speech recognition, speech synthesis and natural language understanding technologies. Together, the platform delivers a human-like, conversational customer service experience that allows users to speak an order and quickly add items to their cart. The platform launches today in beta format, which will allow for additional enhancements as customers become familiar with the new ordering feature.

"Whether ordering pizzas, booking a flight or transferring money into a bank account – convenience is what translates to increased sales and customer satisfaction," said Robert Weideman, Nuance executive vice president and general manager, enterprise division. "Our Nina platform is enabling organizations like Domino's to do just that, and we are very proud to be a part of offering this convenience to their growing number of mobile app users."

The Domino's ordering apps for iPhone and Android, which have been downloaded more than 10 million times, are both available for free from the App Store on iPhone (www.itunes.com/appstore) or the Google Play store on Android devices. Existing iPhone and Android app users will need the latest update to be able to utilize the voice ordering feature.

· Domino's Pizza Continues as Technology Trailblazer, Launches Voice Ordering for its iPhone and Android™ Apps [Domino's]
· Domino's Introduces a 'Siri' to Take Mobile Orders [AP]
· All Domino's Coverage on Eater [-E-]