A cutting-edge tablet with artificial intelligence is now available at two Milam's Market locations, a family-owned grocer in South Florida. This innovative technology, part of a pilot program, aims to revolutionize the grocery shopping experience.
Dubbed Cooper, this system was developed by the startup Coupr, founded in 2024 by Julian Janna, a 31-year-old Colombian entrepreneur based in New York.
According to Local10, this device acts as a personal assistant during shopping trips. Shoppers grab a cart equipped with the tablet, load their shopping list, and see it displayed on the screen. It provides a real-time map of their location in the store—similar to Google Maps—and answers questions about specific products.
Cooper allows customers to compare items by price, nutritional content, including protein, sugar, and calories, and filter options for special diets like keto, vegan, or gluten-free.
The system communicates verbally in English and via text in Spanish, with plans to expand voice support to other languages. After completing their shopping, a cashier scans the cart's screen to log selected items and refine future recommendations. A personalized profile, linked to the shopper's phone number, helps recall regular preferences.
The service is entirely free for customers.
Janna illustrated the project's inspiration with a relatable scenario: "It's like when my mom gives my dad a shopping list, and he says, 'I have no idea where any of this is.' That's exactly what we aim to solve."
The pilot program currently operates in Pinecrest and Coconut Grove, with 10 smart carts at each location and plans to expand to 20. Preliminary results are impressive: shoppers using Coupr carts had baskets 41% larger in item count and 53% higher in dollar value compared to historical averages.
Unlike Amazon's or Instacart's smart carts, which primarily focus on self-checkout, Cooper enhances and customizes the in-store shopping experience.
Chad Milam, COO of Milam's Market, stated that the reception has been overwhelmingly positive: "The data shows that customers come back to use it repeatedly."
The official launch at Coconut Grove is set for August.
Milam's Market, a family-run business since 1984, operates locations in Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Springs, Pinecrest, Coconut Grove, and two in Coral Gables.
Janna envisions his innovation being adopted by major chains like Publix and Winn-Dixie in the future.
Milam's is not the first South Florida supermarket to embrace technology. In 2019, Sedano's launched the world's first automated supermarket in Florida, featuring a robotic system capable of preparing orders in five minutes, while Costco recently tested an express checkout system reducing transaction time to under 10 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions about AI Shopping Carts
How does the AI tablet enhance the shopping experience?
The AI tablet functions as a personal shopping assistant, providing real-time maps, product comparisons, and dietary filters to streamline the shopping experience.
Is there a cost associated with using the smart carts?
No, the smart cart service is completely free for customers at Milam's Market.
What makes Cooper different from other smart carts?
Cooper focuses on enhancing the in-store shopping experience with personalized assistance, unlike other smart carts that primarily emphasize self-checkout.