Modern supermarkets and big-box stores often struggle with cart traffic management, especially during busy hours. Shoppers frequently change direction or stop suddenly, leading to collisions, aisle congestion, and frustration. These issues create safety concerns and degrade the shopping experience, particularly in crowded urban stores where space is limited.

A Simple Solution for Smoother Shopping

One way to address these issues would be to enhance shopping trolleys with intuitive signaling capabilities. The system could include:

• Handle-mounted buttons to activate LED turn signals (left/right/stop)
• Optional proximity sensors that provide gentle haptic feedback when carts get too close
• Standardized, easy-to-understand visual indicators similar to car turn signals

The signals would automatically turn off after a short time or distance traveled to prevent confusion. This system could be added to existing carts or built into new designs, requiring minimal behavior change from shoppers while significantly improving cart coordination.

Benefits for All Stakeholders

Such a system could help multiple groups:

• Shoppers would experience less stress, especially elderly users and parents with children
• Stores might see improved customer satisfaction and potentially fewer accidents
• Cart manufacturers could offer this as a value-added feature

For stores considering implementation, a simple prototype could start with basic LED signals tested in controlled environments before scaling up to more advanced features like integration with store navigation systems.

Building on Existing Technologies

While smart carts with digital displays exist, they tend to focus on product information rather than physical navigation. This proposal takes inspiration from automotive turn signals but adapts them for pedestrian use. Compared to industrial anti-collision systems, this solution would be simpler and more appropriate for consumer shopping behavior.

By starting with straightforward visual signals and potentially expanding to more advanced features, this approach could meaningfully improve the flow and safety of in-store shopping experiences.