An interactive shopping system, or smart cart. The system allows a user to select items in a store and complete a purchase without having to wait in lines or interact with store personnel. The system can have a container for holding products selected by at least one user, a user interface, a scanner in communication with the user interface, a processor in communication with the user interface, and a data storage comprising computer instructions executable by the processor. A user can select products, place them within the container, scan the products, and initiate a payment transaction to complete a purchase.

A pick assist system helps to ensure that each pallet is built accurately. Further, the pick assist system may also help to ensure that the products on each pallet are arranged in a way so that the loaded pallet will be stable and will be efficient to unload. A pallet sled includes a base and a pair of tines extending from the base. The pallet sled further includes a display. At least one processor is programmed to provide a series of instructions on the display indicating a plurality of products to be placed on at least one pallet supported by the tines.

Systems and methods are disclosed for foldable containers for manual and robotic use. In one embodiment, an example foldable container may include a first container wall, a second container wall configured to rotate outwards in a first direction with respect to the first container wall, and a bottom container platform configured to rotate outwards in a second direction with respect to the first container wall. The bottom container platform may include an automatic locking mechanism configured to engage with the second container wall when the foldable container is in an unfolded position, where the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. Some embodiments may include a number of wheels. The foldable container may be configured to be transported using (i) the plurality of wheels via manual pushing, and (ii) robotic manipulation to lift and move the foldable container.

An assistive shopping cart system for guiding a user and monitoring the user's physical and cognitive conditions in a shopping environment is described. The assistive shopping cart system provides assistance and guidance to a user based on a user profile. The assistive shopping cart system routes the user through the shopping environment using a shopping route generated based on the user profile. The assistive shopping cart system also detects and tracks user physical and cognitive conditions and user actions in the shopping environment. The user actions are used to aid in the completion of a purchase/transaction and generate shopping notifications for the user and others to understand the process of the shopping experience.

According to an embodiment, a mobile body acquires product information given to a product to be purchased and transports the product to be purchased. The mobile body includes a cart body, an acquisition device, and a holder. The cart body is moved to transport the product. The acquisition device acquires the product information. The holder detachably holds the acquisition device.

Examples of systems and methods for locating movable objects such as carts (e.g., shopping carts) are disclosed. Such systems and methods can use dead reckoning techniques to estimate the current position of the movable object. Various techniques for improving accuracy of position estimates are disclosed, including compensation for various error sources involving the use of magnetometer and accelerometer, and using vibration analysis to derive wheel rotation rates. Also disclosed are various techniques to utilize characteristics of the operating environment in conjunction with or in lieu of dead reckoning techniques, including characteristic of environment such as ground texture, availability of signals from radio frequency (RF) transmitters including precision fix sources. Such systems and methods can be applied in both indoor and outdoor settings and in retail or warehouse settings.

An information processing apparatus for controlling an autonomous vehicle configured to move in a shop includes a controller. The controller is configured to acquire recipe information for a cooking menu selected by a user, identify a display location of at least one ingredient necessary for completing the cooking menu based on the acquired recipe information, generate route information on a route to the identified display location, and provide the generated route information to the autonomous vehicle.

A stackable handcart includes a cart frame, a display, and a restriction member. The cart frame includes a receiving portion on which a shopping basket is placeable and a front end portion that abuts a first stackable handcart when the stackable handcart is stacked with the first stackable handcart from behind the first stackable handcart. The display is attached to the cart frame. The restriction member is attached to the cart frame at a position to abut a front end portion of a second stackable handcart when the second stackable handcart is stacked with the stackable handcart from behind the stackable handcart. The restriction member is positioned such that a display of the second stackable handcart does not abut the display of the stackable handcart when the front end portion of the second stackable handcart abuts the restriction member.

A security bin formed from a commercially available rectangular plastic bin having removable lids that are secured to the bin to prevent unauthorized access to the items placed therein. The lids are locked with a tamperproof flap and latching hook to prevent access to the bin contents. Plexiglass windows allow viewing of materials placed within the bin. Spring pins allow ease of lid movement for access to the bin contents, or allow removal of the windows to allow stacking for storage and shipping. An optional scanner can be mounted to one of the lids for recording and tracking of storage media placed within the bin.

A trolley includes a weighing balance mounted on the trolley and configured to weigh at least one item placed on the weighing balance; a display; a communication module configured to receive order data indicative of an order including one or more items, wherein at least one of the items is defined by weight; a memory configured to store the order data; a processor configured to: control the display to output an indication of at least some of the one or more items, determine a weight of one of the items defined by weight placed on the weighing balance, and control the display to output the determined weight of the at least one item from the weighing balance on the display.