Morrisons has unveiled its futuristic AI-powered shopping trolleys at a store in Preston, but shoppers are already predicting a major flaw: the high-tech carts will likely end up stolen or dumped in local canals.
First Look at the New Trolleys
The new trolleys, spotted at Morrisons' Riversway store, are equipped with touchscreens, sensors, built-in scales, and cameras that automatically identify products as they are placed inside. Shoppers can scan items, weigh fruit and vegetables, and track spending in real time via an onboard screen. The technology also links to Morrisons More cards to apply offers and discounts during shopping.
A shopper shared a photo on Reddit with the caption: "Fancy AI trolleys," sparking widespread discussion.
Shoppers Express Concerns
While some were impressed, many questioned the trolleys' durability outside the store. 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 predicted: "They'll be stolen/broken/in the canal in a few days."
Technology Behind the Trolleys
The AI-powered carts, supplied by US company Instacart, are known as Caper Carts. They are already used by major US retailers like Kroger, Aldi, Coles, and Sprouts, but Morrisons is the first UK supermarket to trial them. The trolleys use AI cameras and scales to recognize products, and once shopping is complete, they generate a barcode for payment at self-checkout.
The system includes anti-theft technology: if a customer tries to leave without paying, the trolley flashes red to alert staff. Instacart says the weatherproof carts are designed to be stored and operated like standard trolleys, with batteries charging automatically when grouped together.
Morrisons' Plans
Morrisons Productivity Director Gordon Macpherson 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."
The Preston trial will gauge customer reaction before any potential national rollout.
