Google has announced to restaurant owners that it will begin testing its automated phone reservation feature through Google Assistant next month.
Named “Google Duplex,” this technology enables Google Assistant to place calls to restaurants and make reservations by interacting directly with human staff.
Google Duplex was initially showcased earlier this year at the Google I/O conference.
Besides offering convenience to users, Google Duplex is also designed to help businesses reach a wider range of consumers.
### Testing in Select Markets Next Month
Public testing of Google Duplex will expand next month in New York, Atlanta, Phoenix, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
During the testing phase, the feature will only be available to Google Pixel users.
Regarding compatibility with restaurants, Google states there is no learning curve or setup required.
> “You can keep operating your restaurant as you always have while also taking advantage of booking through the Google Assistant. If you’re currently working with one of our online booking partners, you won’t receive calls from the Assistant for reservations.”
Google emphasizes that businesses will have full transparency and control throughout the booking process.
It will always be clear when Google Assistant is making the phone call. Businesses can opt-out of receiving calls from Google Assistant simply by stating so when they get a call.
Additionally, businesses can opt-out from the settings panel in Google My Business.
The rollout of this feature will be gradual to ensure the experience is optimized for both users and businesses.
