Morrisons is trialling a futuristic new AI-powered trolley at its Riversway store in Preston, potentially transforming the shopping experience for customers across the UK. The high-tech trolleys feature touchscreens, sensors, built-in scales, and cameras that automatically identify products as shoppers place them in their basket.
How the Smart Trolleys Work
Shoppers can scan items as they shop, weigh fruit and vegetables directly in the trolley, and keep track of their spending in real time through an onboard screen. The technology also links to Morrisons More cards, allowing offers and discounts to be applied while customers move around the store. If a customer attempts to leave without paying, the trolley reportedly flashes red to alert staff.
Anti-Theft and Durability Concerns
The trolleys are supplied by US technology company Instacart and are known as Caper Carts. They are already used by major retailers across the United States, including Kroger, Aldi, Coles, and Sprouts, but Morrisons will become the first supermarket to introduce the technology in the UK. Instacart says the weatherproof carts are designed to be stored and operated like standard supermarket trolleys, with batteries charging automatically when grouped together.
Some shoppers have expressed scepticism about the durability of the expensive-looking trolleys. One Reddit user commented, "Trolleys with tablets on that will be left outside? Sure none of them will get stolen." Another added, "So what happens when they find themselves in the local river or canal?" A third user remarked, "They'll be stolen/broken/in the canal in a few days."
Nationwide Rollout Plans
The Preston trial is expected to gauge customer reaction before any wider rollout across the supermarket's store network. Morrisons Productivity Director Gordon Macpherson previously said, "We're constantly looking for ways to bring innovation to the weekly shop to enhance the experience for our customers. We're excited about bringing the first fully-integrated AI-powered trolleys in the UK to a first store soon, and look forward to testing customer response."
Morrisons is not the first supermarket to trial the idea, with reports of Waitrose testing a similar "smart-cart" in autumn last year. Once shoppers have finished their trip, the trolley generates a barcode that can be scanned at a self-checkout to complete payment. The system also incorporates anti-theft technology to prevent unpaid departures.
