Shopping Cart of the Future

The Stop and Shop Smart Cart: A shopper starts by scanning a loyalty card over a bar-code reader on the grocery cart's computer, which Stop & Shop calls "the shopping buddy." The computer connects wirelessly to the store's intranet to get a list of past purchases. It also connects to a global positioning system to map the shopper's progress through the store. That way, the buddy can pick the right time to pop up with that pasta (or any other promo). The buddy is also a line-buster. Customers can order from the deli counter while they're a couple of aisles away, so the food will be ready when they arrive. The computer's scanner even allows customers to pay for goods and bypass the checkout altogether. (Photo by Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images)