Pull into the McDonald's in Chippewa, PA, these days, and computer vision software will tell the fry cooks what you probably want for lunch before you get out of the car. Over the past year, HyperActive Technologies of Pittsburgh has equipped eight fast-food restaurants in Pennsylvania and Ohio with cameras and software that analyze incoming traffic, providing a jump on likely food orders.

HyperActive's software counts cars as they enter, identifies the types of vehicles it spots, and makes recommendations based on past trends at the restaurant. Incoming minivans might foretell demand for chicken nuggets and other kid-friendly fare, while pickup trucks suggest double cheeseburgers or Quarter-Pounders. The program then estimates food demand for the next few minutes and transmits cooking instructions to display screens at the grills and deep fryers.