Smart Trolley System for Automated Billing and Enhanced Shopping Experience

Abstract

In modern retail environments, customer satisfaction and operational efficiency heavily depend on fast, accurate, and transparent billing processes. Conventional supermarket billing systems rely on manual barcode scanning and cashier-assisted checkouts, which often result in long queues, especially during peak hours. These delays increase customer frustration, staff workload, and the likelihood of human errors such as missed scans or incorrect billing. To address these challenges, this research proposes a Smart Trolley System that enables automated billing directly at the shopping trolley, eliminating the need for traditional checkout counters. The system utilizes IoT and AI technologies to reduce manual intervention and improve the overall shopping experience. Each trolley is equipped with RFID and barcode sensors controlled by an ESP32 microcontroller, enabling automatic detection of products when they are added or removed. RFID technology enables faster, contactless identification compared to conventional barcode systems. Product details, such as name, price, and quantity, are transmitted in real time to a cloud-based MongoDB database, ensuring accurate and synchronised billing. A MERN stack web application provides a user interface for customers to monitor live cart details and expenses, while administrators can manage inventory and analyze sales data. Additionally, the system integrates a Generative AI assistant powered by Google Gemini, offering personalized recommendations, recipe suggestions, and basic navigation assistance. Experimental results show a 70% reduction in checkout time and improved billing accuracy. Overall, the Smart Trolley System enhances efficiency, transparency, and customer satisfaction, making it a promising solution for next-generation smart retail environments.