Uber Eats launches AI assistant to help with grocery cart creation

Uber Eats Introduces New AI Feature “Cart Assistant” for Grocery Shopping

Uber Eats recently unveiled a new AI feature called “Cart Assistant” aimed at simplifying and expediting the grocery shopping experience for customers. The beta version of this feature is now accessible within the Uber Eats app.

To utilize the Cart Assistant chatbot, users can search for a grocery store within the Uber Eats app and click on the purple Cart Assistant icon on the store’s page to initiate shopping.

Customers have the option to input a list manually or upload an image of a list, such as handwritten notes or recipe ingredients. Cart Assistant will then automatically populate their basket with the necessary items. Users can further customize their basket by swapping items for preferred brands or adding more products from the store.

Uber Eats emphasizes that Cart Assistant leverages previous orders to prioritize familiar items, such as regular purchases like milk or preferred cereal brands, to offer a more personalized shopping experience.

Praveen Neppalli Naga, Uber’s Chief Technology Officer, stated, “Users expressed a desire for a quicker shopping method, and we understand the value of your time. Cart Assistant enables you to move from idea to checkout in seconds.”

By introducing Cart Assistant, Uber Eats aims to enhance its competitive edge against other food delivery and grocery apps that are integrating AI chatbots. For instance, Instacart implemented an AI search tool using OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2023 to streamline shopping and offer personalized recommendations. Similarly, DoorDash was reported to be testing an AI chatbot called DashAI during the same period.

Last year, both Uber Eats and DoorDash integrated ChatGPT into their platforms to streamline food ordering processes. Uber Eats users in the U.S. can now browse local restaurants and menus through ChatGPT before finalizing their purchase in the Uber Eats app. DoorDash’s integration allows users to request meal plans and automatically add all required ingredients to their cart.

According to a 2023 Bloomberg report, Uber Eats was developing an AI-powered chatbot that would assist users in placing orders by inquiring about their budget and food preferences.

Overall, Uber Eats is making significant investments in AI technology, including tools for merchants like AI-generated menu descriptions, enhanced food imagery, and summaries of customer reviews.