In July 2020, a big name made waves in the shopping world: Amazon. They introduced something called the Dash cart, and suddenly, "smart shopping carts" became a buzzword. But what are they? Why are they so special? Let's break it down.
What's a Smart Shopping Cart Anyway?
Think of a regular shopping cart. Now, imagine if that cart could help you shop on its own. That's a smart shopping cart! Not only does it hold your groceries like a regular cart, but it can also help you check out without waiting in line. Some can even guide you around the store like a personal shopper. Cool, right?
Why People Are Talking About Them
With health concerns due to the pandemic, stores have been trying to find ways to make shopping touch-free. Enter the smart shopping cart. These carts let people shop without too much contact. It's a win for stores, shoppers, and even brands that make these carts.
Where Can You Find Smart Shopping Carts?
These high-tech carts are popping up all over the world. Countries like China, the USA, Canada, and even places like Kuwait and Israel have them. In the U.S., aside from Amazon's Dash cart, there's also the Caper smart cart. Big chains like Kroger started testing them out in 2021. These carts can scan barcodes, but they also use fancy tech to "see" what you put in the cart.
How Do These Carts Work?
Let's talk about tech for a moment. Smart shopping carts use a mix of tools to do their magic:
Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI helps the cart "see" and "learn". It can tell what items you've added, and sometimes even stop folks from leaving without paying.
Weight Sensors: These are on the cart's bottom. When you add something, the cart knows its weight. If something's off, the cart can tell something's not right.
RFID: This tech is often on the cart. If you've paid, you can leave the store without any alarms going off. If not, there might be a beep or two to alert store workers.
Indoor Navigation: Ever got lost in a big store? Some smart carts can show you a map of the store and help you find what you need.
To Wrap It Up
Smart shopping carts are changing the way we shop. They're a blend of tech and convenience that's perfect for our fast-paced world. So next time you're at a store and see one of these smart carts, give it a try! They just might make your shopping trip a little bit easier.