Ordering takeout is convenient, but if you want to buy groceries using a delivery app, the sheer volume of searching for items and adding them to your cart can be daunting for many. Uber Eats has clearly heard the voices of the people, and now they've decided to use AI to solve this pain point.
According to Uber's official statement, Uber Eats has officially launched a new feature called "Cart Assistant" in the United States. This tool, currently in beta testing, allows users to have AI automatically add all the groceries they need to their shopping cart through "text conversations" or even "uploaded pictures," making it an AI-powered tool for grocery shoppers.
It accepts handwritten lists and recipe screenshots, and the AI even knows how to "find a backup plan when an item is out of stock".
Previously, buying groceries on Uber Eats involved browsing through categories or searching by keywords, much like shopping in a supermarket. But with the "Shopping Cart Assistant," the process becomes incredibly simple and straightforward:
• Just take a picture and you're done:You can directly upload a handwritten shopping list or a screenshot of a recipe you see online. AI will automatically analyze the ingredients and items in the list using image recognition technology (OCR).
• Make a written wish:You can also type directly to the AI: "I need the ingredients to make Mexican tacos," or "Prepare a week's worth of healthy snacks for me."
• Automatic comparison and optimization:AI doesn't just blindly add items; it checks store inventory, prices, and current promotions in real time. Even smarter, it prioritizes brands or items you've "purchased before" (for example, if you usually drink whole milk, it won't randomly recommend oat milk).
Of course, the AI is still learning and mistakes are inevitable. Therefore, before checkout, users still have complete control and can freely remove items, change brands, or adjust quantities.
iOS will launch first, Android will have to wait.
This feature is currently in beta testing on the iOS app in the US, with an Android version expected to launch later. Partnering retailers include major retailers such as Albertsons, Aldi, Costco, CVS, and Kroger.
This isn't the first time Uber Eats has incorporated AI. Last summer, they used AI to optimize menu descriptions, generate food images, and even help summarize restaurant reviews. This new "shopping cart assistant" further applies AI to the "decision-making and execution" level, attempting to shorten the time between "wanting to buy" and "placing an order."
