Uber Eats has introduced a new artificial intelligence feature called “Cart Assistant” to make grocery shopping quicker and easier for users. The tool, currently in beta, is available within the Uber Eats app.
How the Cart Assistant works
To use the feature, customers open a grocery store in the Uber Eats app and tap the purple Cart Assistant icon on the store’s page. They can then:
- Enter a shopping list
- Upload an image of a handwritten list
- Add a screenshot of a recipe to auto-generate ingredients
The assistant can automatically add multiple required items to the cart, while users can swap brands, remove products, or add extra items before checkout.
Personalised shopping experience
Cart Assistant uses a customer’s previous purchase history to prioritise familiar products, such as frequently bought milk, snacks, or pantry items. This helps speed up the process and tailor recommendations to individual preferences.
Uber CTO Praveen Neppalli Naga said the feature aims to save time and simplify the shopping journey:
“Users have expressed a desire for a quicker shopping method, and we recognise the value of your time. Cart Assistant enables you to go from idea to checkout in seconds.”
Growing AI competition in food delivery
The launch strengthens Uber Eats’ position in the AI-driven grocery and delivery space. Competitors are also investing in similar tools:
- Instacart introduced an AI search feature powered by ChatGPT in 2023
- DoorDash has been testing its own chatbot, DashAI
Uber is also expanding AI use beyond customers, offering merchants tools such as AI-generated menu descriptions and enhanced food photography to improve listings and engagement.
