Waitrose is currently testing AI-powered shopping trolleys that can automatically keep track of items as customers place them in the cart.
The new technology requires supermarket shoppers to attach a device to the handlebars of a regular Waitrose trolley. This device is equipped with a scanner and cameras that monitor the products being added to the cart.
To use the system, customers must scan each product before placing it in the trolley. The cart then identifies and records the items in the shopping list, displaying the total cost on a small screen.
Once the shopping is complete, customers can exit the store without visiting a traditional checkout. They will be automatically charged for the goods, provided that payment details are added before shopping, and loose items are weighed as usual.
These smart trolleys, powered by technology from software firm Shopic, are currently undergoing a trial at a Waitrose store in Bracknell, Berkshire, with potential expansion to other locations in the future.
According to Waitrose, the smart trolley operates similarly to their scan, pay, go handsets, offering customers a more seamless payment experience while still maintaining conventional checkout options for those who prefer interaction with staff.
In related news, Lidl is experimenting with cameras at self-checkouts to prevent theft by monitoring and alerting staff when items are not properly scanned by customers. Home Bargains has also installed similar cameras at self-service tills to detect unscanned items, improving security measures at their stores.