Disclosed herein are computer-implemented methods and systems to facilitate prevention or detection of theft of an item in a shopping container. A controller attached to the shopping container receives a first signal from a first transmitter upon entry of the shopping container into a first area within a store. A second signal is received by the controller from a second transmitter upon entry of the shopping container into a second area within the store. After receiving the second signal, the controller receives the first signal again without having received a third signal associated with a third area within the store. In response to receiving the first signal again without having received the third signal after receipt of the second signal, the controller automatically causes switching from a normal mode to an anti-theft mode associated with the controller.

A motorized shopping cart is disclosed herein and includes a shopping cart, a wheel assembly attached to the shopping cart, a drive assembly, accelerator and brake assembly in communication with the wheel assembly, a GPS module, a direction sensing module, a feedback module, a controller and in some embodiments, a collision module. The GPS module detects a location of the shopping cart relative to one or more boundaries and the direction sensing module detects a direction of travel of the shopping cart within a store. If the shopping cart moves past the boundary or in an incorrect direction of travel, the controller automatically applies the brake assembly to cease movement of the shopping cart and simultaneously causes the feedback module to vibrate at least a portion of the shopping cart. In some embodiments, if a collision is imminent, the controller activates one or more response measures for collision avoidance.