Customers wait to enter KFC's first KPRO restaurant in Hangzhou city, East China's Zhejiang province, August 31, 2017.[Photo/IC]

Hangzhou restaurant unveils innovative tech for enhanced dining experience

KFC's endeavor to let people pay their bills using facial recognition technology marks the world's first such commercialized application.

That's according to Chen Jidong, director of biometric identification technology at Ant Financial Services Group, which helped create the system.

"Yum China has a history of adopting innovative technologies to enhance in-store dining experience and we could think of no better place to pilot this advanced technology," Chen said at the inaugural ceremony of KFC's concept restaurant KPRO on Friday.

Upon a few taps on the screens to order, customers can look up into the camera, thereby sealing the deal. Alipay adopts a multi-step authentication process, including a facial scan and mobile phone number, to verify identities and facilitate payment.