The Smart Cart display brings product lifecycle analysis to the shopping experience to create an informed decision thanks to the Reveal rating system. Through the use of RFID tags this new in-store technology can link to a wireless, onsite database and access information such as product availability, price/unit and overall sustainability. No longer will customers suffer in line to have their selected purchases scanned one at a time and even more, no longer will we be in the dark, not knowing the impact our decision will have on the world around us.
The Reveal rating system is an existing system created by Nathan Shedroff, Professor in Design at the California College of Arts. The system evaluates the entire lifecycle of a product- from cradle to grave, or hopefully cradle to cradle. First we consider the amount of raw materials used and the energy burned to create this new product. Next we consider how much energy is consumed while the product is in use(i.e. refrigeration) and then we examine how it will be disposed of or recycled. With this information a number score is assigned to represent the products lifecycle analysis.
With this information the customer is able to trust that the products they choose will not have unacceptable carbon emissions or unfair foreign labor laws. This information is an empowerment to the consumer allowing them a voice in what they choose to support. By creating a point of purchase LCA display consumers will now force manufacturers to compete on the new playing field of sustainability.
The Smart Cart also features many other shopping conveniences. Once the display has identified a product that the customer is contemplating it will display alternative choices in the same style so that one might compare prices. Price per unit is under the exact cost of the product to again provide clear information to the user. The Smart Cart may also follow the shopping paradigm of "other customers who purchased this product also enjoy 'X'"" Another option would be to have meal suggestions or recipes and even wine pairings in the grocery store.
The store would also have space for an animated advertisement offering featured or sale items and even directions to the aisle that they are in. The store could also sell the ad space for additional capital.
The check out experience would be of great improvement. With RFID tags you would no longer have to scan individual items and stand in painstaking lines. One would only have to submit payment and be on their way. Ideas of an embedded credit card swipe are already in the works.
The Smart Cart could greatly enhance and improve our shopping experience as we know it and create a demand for sustainable manufacturing and competition. And this technology is slowly being integrated into our economy and academics are currently cataloging the information for the Reveal system and others like it for individual products at UC-Berkeley and CCA.
