Waitrose is currently testing innovative AI-driven shopping carts that automatically keep track of items as customers place them in the cart.
This new technology requires shoppers to attach a device to the handlebars of a standard Waitrose trolley. Equipped with scanners and cameras, the device monitors and records the products added to the cart after scanning each item.
Customers are instructed to scan each product before placing it in the trolley. The cart then identifies and maintains a list of the items inside, displaying them on a small screen along with the total cost of the shopping trip.
Upon completion, customers can exit the store without going through a traditional checkout process. The payment for the purchased items is automatically processed, provided that payment details are inputted before shopping, and loose items are weighed as usual.
These smart trolleys, powered by technology developed by software company Shopic, are currently undergoing a trial run at a Waitrose store in Bracknell, Berkshire, with potential expansion to other locations in the future.
Waitrose mentioned that the smart trolley operates similarly to its existing scan, pay, go handsets, offering customers a more seamless payment experience while still retaining conventional checkout options for those who prefer interaction with store staff.
Shopic, in an online statement, highlighted the benefits of their AI and vision technology in enhancing shopping convenience for customers and enabling retailers to optimize operations, enhance efficiency, and boost customer engagement.
Amazon was the pioneer in introducing checkout-free shopping through its Amazon Fresh stores, utilizing cameras and sensors to track customer selections from shelves.
In a related development, Lidl is experimenting with cameras at self-checkout counters to deter theft. The system is designed to detect when items are not scanned during the checkout process.
Similarly, Home Bargains has installed cameras at self-service tills to identify unscanned items. These cameras, part of a trial in the Home Bargains Speke store, were implemented in collaboration with tech companies SAI (Storewide Active Intelligence) and Everseen, with positive feedback from the retailer on the effectiveness of the technology over traditional security measures.