The days of using 2D menus might be over. To entice and inform restaurant customers, menus might be getting a 3D upgrade. A prototype AR device called HoloLamp is a glasses-free, interactive menu that allows customers to display the dishes right onto their plates. A touch board at the table allows for easy scrolling through the restaurant’s various items and gives hungry patrons a comprehensive visual representation of their order. Not only does this innovation create an interactive experience, but it also eliminates the “surprise” of portion sizing.
“The lamp is boosting the dining experience by allowing the diner to select and view the dishes in 3D directly on the table top, the correct portion size, and the aesthetic of the preparation,” says Guillaume Chican, founder of HoloLamp. “The diner is then able to know the dishes he will eat. It removes the unpleasant surprise, which can occur with a paper menu upon reception of the dishes.”[1]
As restaurants are moving farther into the realm of digital interaction, menu options are just one piece of the puzzle that they can utilize to enhance their customer experiences.
