Wegmans Food Markets is revolutionizing the grocery shopping experience with AI-powered “smart carts” at four upstate New York locations. The regional supermarket chain, beloved for its customer service innovation, has partnered with Instacart to pilot Caper Carts—high-tech shopping companions that automatically recognize items, track spending in real-time, and eliminate traditional checkout lines. Syracuse Dewitt location leads the trial, with additional tests at Perinton, Pittsford, and Alberta Drive stores. Much like how New York’s culinary scene continues winning awards with innovative dining experiences, Wegmans embraces cutting-edge technology to redefine how families shop for food.
Smart Technology Meets Grocery Shopping
Bright digital displays guide shoppers through aisles while AI-powered cameras capture every item placed in these futuristic carts. While traditional grocers once relied on personal relationships and handwritten receipts to serve their communities, today’s technology creates that same personalized attention through digital innovation. Each cart combines sophisticated technology with practical grocery needs, creating an experience that feels both cutting-edge and surprisingly intuitive.
Armed with AI-powered cameras, digital scales, and location sensors powered by NVIDIA Jetson hardware, these revolutionary carts transform routine grocery runs into streamlined experiences. Shoppers simply place items in the cart, and the technology instantly recognizes products without manual scanning. Latest Caper Cart model delivers practical improvements that matter:
- Real-time spending tracker displays running totals as shoppers browse
- Seamless checkout integrates payment and Wegmans Shoppers Club loyalty benefits
- Bag-as-you-go convenience eliminates checkout line waiting
- 65% more storage capacity than previous versions with lighter weight design
- Over-the-air updates continuously improve functionality without hardware swaps
“Caper Carts are transforming everyday grocery shopping into a faster, more personalized experience,” said David McIntosh.
Local Shoppers Embrace Change
Beyond convenience, this pilot expands Wegmans’ eight-year collaboration with Instacart, which began with home delivery in 2017 and evolved to include pickup services and EBT SNAP integration. Smart cart technology represents the next frontier in bridging online convenience with in-store immersion.
What This Means for Food Culture
For upstate New York communities, these smart carts signal more than technological advancement—they’re reshaping how families experience their weekly food ritual. Traditional grocery shopping in the region has long centered around leisurely browsing Wegmans‘ extensive prepared food sections and discovering new products through unhurried exploration.
