ford designs futuristic self-braking trolley to make supermarket shopping less stressful

ford has invented a smart shopping cart that uses sensors to prevent potential collisions. taking inspiration from its pre-collision assist technology, which helps drivers to avoid accidents on the road, ford presents the ‘self-braking shopping trolley’. 

images courtesy of ford

ford‘s pre-collision assist technology uses a forward-facing camera and radar to detect vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists in the road. it then automatically applies the breaks if the driver does not respond to warnings. in a similar vein, the self-braking trolley uses a sensor which scans ahead for people and objects before automatically applying the brakes when a potential collision is detected.

‘parents often dread supermarket shopping because they are trying to get a job done and kids just want to play,‘ explains parenting expert tanith carey. ‘children love to copy adults and experiment with feeling more in control. when they push a trolley, to their minds, it’s like they are behind the wheels of a car – with long, wide supermarket aisles as their racetrack.’

whilst it is only a prototype at the moment, the trolley was envisioned to take some of the stress out of this situation. it is part of a series of ford interventions inspired by their automotive expertise that tackle everyday problems. it has also designed a soundproof kennel for dogs to avoid the noise of fireworks, a smart bed which rolls selfish sleepers back to their own side, and a baby crib that simulates the conditions of driving to put your baby to sleep.

project info

company: ford

product: self-braking trolley

status: prototype