Key Facts
- ✓ The new Dash Cart has a 40 percent larger capacity.
- ✓ Amazon plans to bring the revamped cart to dozens of Whole Foods locations by the end of the year.
- ✓ The new cart features a 'more responsive' item scanner located next to the built-in display.
- ✓ A new NFC reader allows customers to tap to pay with a credit card or phone.
- ✓ The previous design only allowed payment with the credit card attached to the user's Amazon account.
Quick Summary
Amazon has announced a major update to its smart shopping cart technology for Whole Foods. The company is launching a revamped version of the Dash Cart that features significant hardware improvements and expanded payment options. According to the announcement, the new cart boasts a 40 percent larger capacity, addressing customer needs for more space during grocery runs.
The updated design also focuses on usability and convenience. A new NFC reader has been added, allowing shoppers to complete their purchases by tapping their credit card or phone. This replaces the previous system, which only allowed payment via the credit card linked to a user's Amazon account. These changes are part of a broader rollout plan to bring the technology to dozens of Whole Foods locations by the end of the year.
Design and Capacity Improvements
The physical design of the Dash Cart has been reworked to improve the shopping experience. Amazon states that the new model offers a 40 percent larger capacity compared to its predecessor. This increase in space allows shoppers to carry more items comfortably, potentially reducing the need for multiple trips or additional baskets.
Beyond size, the placement of key hardware components has been optimized. In previous versions, the item scanners were positioned beneath and in front of the handle. This placement potentially made them harder to spot and use effectively. The new design moves the scanner to a location next to the built-in display. Amazon describes this new scanner as "more responsive," suggesting faster and more accurate item recognition as users place products in the cart.
New Payment and Technical Features
One of the most significant additions to the Dash Cart is the inclusion of an NFC reader. This technology enables a "tap-to-pay" functionality, allowing customers to pay for their groceries using a contactless credit card or a digital wallet on their smartphone. This marks a departure from the original Dash Cart, which restricted payments to the credit card attached to the user's Amazon account. The addition of NFC provides greater flexibility and aligns with modern retail payment standards.
The upgrades also include a new scale integrated into the cart. While specific details on the scale's performance were not fully elaborated in the announcement, it is part of the suite of technologies that allow the cart to automatically identify items and calculate totals without traditional checkout lines. These technical enhancements are designed to streamline the shopping process from entry to exit.
Rollout and Availability
Amazon is preparing to expand the availability of its smart shopping carts significantly. The company plans to bring the revamped Dash Cart to dozens of Whole Foods locations. This expansion is targeted for completion by the end of this year. The move indicates Amazon's continued commitment to integrating technology into the physical retail experience, specifically within its Whole Foods Market subsidiary.
By scaling the deployment of these carts, Amazon aims to reduce friction at checkout and modernize the grocery shopping journey. The combination of increased capacity, improved scanning technology, and flexible payment options suggests a focus on making the Dash Cart a viable alternative to traditional shopping baskets and checkout lines.
