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High-Tech Shopping Carts
neutron_p writes "A Massachusetts-based supermarket chain says it will roll out new intelligent shopping carts that promise to make food shopping much more personalized and interactive. They will let shoppers email their shopping lists to the store and check prices on the spot. Each new 'Shopping Buddy' cart mounts a wireless, touch-screen IBM computer, equipped with a laser scanner. The computer will also alert shoppers as they approach favorite items or promotions."
I've been using the computer carts at Stop & Shop in Quincy MA(S&S HQ), and they are really cool. When you go down an isle it will tell you what you normally buy, and what's on sale. it will keep a running total of how much $$ your current cart costs, and when it's time to check out, you just walk up to the register, swip your shopper card, then pay.
I just wish they would pay me for doing my own bagging and scanning!!!!!
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Here in Austria there's one that has a singles afternoon type thing, but without the colour coding
Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
gives you the most efficient route to each ingredient...
No shot. Groceries are laid out the way they are for a reason - by putting the most common groceries in opposite corners of the store forces you to walk by stuff you don't need but might by. It is wholly within their interest to keep you in the store (and moving) for as long as possible. Giving you directions is in direct conflict with that goal.
You want really scary, take a look at how cereals are arranged next time you're in the store - bigger companies towards the front of the aisles (where they get more exposure) and down in size to the little import brands. You'll also notice that most red boxes are at chest level - the level a kid in a cart would be at; red is the most stimulating color for young eyes, it's why froot loops, applejacks and lucky charms (for instance) come in shiny red boxes.
Man, I love marketing!
Triv
I confirm, the different colored basket are only available on thursday though.
It is also a way for the supermarket to make its publicity: it is a 'highend' supermarket with products a bit more expensive than usually.. OTOH the setup is really nice (I've seen Japanese tourists "visiting" this supermarket, no kidding).
if you've ever used their self-checkout, it's pretty weak - it's far too complicated compared to at least two other new england retailers' methods - it uses a very tricky light sensor chain to track purchases as they go to the bagging area, and the bagging area is too easy to fill. Ther is pitiful integration between the touch screen that you use for most thngs and the debit/credit card reader - the whole thing was patched together - there is no flow or path of the things you'll need to use - cash receiver, change slot, pin buttons, etc... the touch screen asks what sort of card you're using then the card reader does too - a giant red x usually means cancel what i'm doing, but at chas back time it means no cash back and there's a cancel button.
It's too much like trying to learn the macarena during the wedding reception.
Point being, if they do this like the did self-checkout, they're in for a bumpy ride.
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Yup, more than 10 years ago =)
Back in 92, I worked for a company called VideoCart who was probably the supplier for the screens you're refer to.
These carts did everything mentioned in the article, with the exception of email.
Although it *seemed* a good concept, the public never caught on.
The project lasted several months in the store I maintained up in Sacramento, but it was pulled within a year due to a lack of public interest. Most people back then would just grab one of the non-equipped carts. Perhaps the concept will be better received now that the general public is more open to technology in general.
The beeping distress calls didn't do much to save them from becoming a decoration in someone's living room either. We had numerous carts go missing, but very few were ever recovered. And they made a tempting target for vandals. I'd say that on average, we were replacing at least 2 smashed LCD screens per week.
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