In February, Chaotic Moon Labs began testing a robotic
shopping cart that acts a bit like a mind-reading butler. To start it up, you
can text message the cart’s built-in tablet computer. Now it knows who you are
and what you need for dinner. The cart uses Microsoft’s Kinect motion-sensor
technology to track and follow you through the store, pointing you toward
products on your list. The system will also warn you if you’ve added something
that violates your dietary restrictions. Items you add to the cart can be
automatically scanned, and you can finalize your purchase from the device.