Waitrose is testing an AI computer vision system that recognises products as customers put them in their trollies.

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, The Grocer reported.

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.

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.

The Waitrose spokeswoman explained the supermarket was “exploring options for more frictionless payment for our customers, while still maintaining conventional checkouts for customers who value interaction with our partners”.

The devices are supplied by Israeli software firm Shopic, who claims they enable retail companies to “understand everything that happens on your retail floor”.

Grocers are also able to use location data on the devices to see how long customers spent in each aisle, their route across the shop, and their “shelf interactions”.

Shopic noted that the screens on the devices could also show “contextually relevant ads and offers”, and be used as a platform for retail media.

In July, Morrisons unveiled plans to launch an AI-powered “digital twin” of its supply chain, allowing it to experiment with alterations to its operations and trial changes.

Debenhams Group also launched an AI skills academy earlier this month, designed to equip staff with practical AI skills.

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