A RESTAURANT here that serves up new technology provides a taste of just how innovation can pay off, according to Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam yesterday.

Mr Tharman told Parliament that Japanese eatery Ebisboshi Shotengai uses a clever gadget to reduce the number of staff it needs.

The outlet at Iluma Mall in Bugis invested $160,000 in a wireless, self-order system from Japan.

Customers just have to tap on the menu using a wireless stylus pen to send their orders to the kitchen and the cashier.

The restaurant estimates it would ordinarily have needed about 25 staff to attend to a maximum capacity of 230 diners, but finds that 14 to 17 workers can now do the job.

The 'talking' pen, which repeats customers' orders aloud, has also meant shorter waiting times for customers and faster turnover for the restaurant.

Customer feedback has been positive, with many calling it 'interesting, cool and innovative', said Ebisboshi.

The restaurant launched the Deli Touch system when it opened last May, the first here to do so. It expects to fully recover the investment in two years.

That is just the sort of clever thinking the Government wants the new Productivity and Innovation Credit scheme to encourage.

The scheme will provide tax deductions for firms that invest in innovative activities, from registering intellectual property to installing automation.

DAWN ZENG