Waitrose trials AI smart trolleys to keep track of purchases

The “very small scale” trial of the technology at the supermarket’s Bracknell site is believed to represent the first time smart carts have been used in a UK supermarket.

Speaking to the publication, a Waitrose spokeswoman said: “It works in a similar way to our scan, pay, go handsets, with a bigger screen, that identifies every item placed into or removed from the cart, and with a real-time tally of products and prices so shoppers can keep track of purchases.”

The tech consists of a handlebar-like device that customers attach to a normal Waitrose trolley.

Customers then scan the barcodes on products like they would using a self-scan handset in front of the device before putting it in their trolley. Once in the trolley, back-facing cameras verify the item.

The devices are kept in a charging bank close to the entrance of the shop and can be released when shoppers scan their loyalty card, Retail Gazette reports.

Shoppers are required to weigh any loose produce at one of the store’s in-aisle scales and scan their barcode.

Bakery products need to be chosen from the device’s screen before being placed in the trolley, while reduced goods need their yellow stickers scanned.