Our SmartCart - an innovative "Jugend forscht"-project

Everyone knows it, you are already tired from work, but the shopping for groceries is still left to be done. You actually have back pain already but unfortunately the groceries don’t lift themselves into the cart. It would already help if the load area wouldn’t be that low.

With our SmartCart the shopping will be more comfortable. The SmartCart is activated through an app. The integrated height adjustment is automatic, makes the lifting of heavy objects easier and is friendly to the joints.

Through a motor the load area drives up and down. Our SmartCart regulates the height with several sensors automatically but can also be regulated manually by the customer. In the codelocked compartment wallets, keys and mobile phones can be stored. Thanks to a display, a button and a joystick at the SmartCart everything can be managed easily.

The application of the SmartCart will be restricted to shopping malls.

Objective

In order to make shopping more convenient for the customer, the shopping cart should be rebuild to get the following capabilities:

Automatic height adjustment, which can also be operated manually

Easy to use

Safe storage of valuables in a lockable compartment

Large loading area

Safe and easy activation

Results

Current status Our results include a functioning sensor system and an automatic height adjustment. We also developed a working app for unlocking a SmartCart. The software for controlling the SmartCart is also fully functional. With the self-programmed app, the customer can register, create a shopping list and of course activate a SmartCart. The customer's data are encrypted and stored in a database. The software programmed in C, which runs on the microcontroller in the console of the SmartCart, enables us to evaluate the inputs and act accordingly. The height adjustment can thus be set automatically and manually by the customer and the lockable compartment can be opened.

Block Diagram

Height Determination

Our software evaluates the signals from the transistors using photo transistors and infrared diodes, which are attached to the upper edge of the shopping cart at two different heights.
This enables a determination of the height of the goods and thus the position of the movable shopping area. The information collected from this is processed by the software and allows the goods area to move up or down intelligently.
Signals are sent through the infrared diodes every ten seconds so that these send infrared waves towards the phototransistors. If there is an obstacle (goods) between the diodes and the transistors, the corresponding row emits a signal. Depending on whether the top or bottom row emits signals, our software evaluates them and lets the goods area move up or down.
The condition for a permanent height is that the top row always has a connection (no obstacle) and the bottom row always has no connection. With that our software always knows exactly in which direction to drive.

top row bottom row Height adjustment no connection no connection down no connection connection down connection no connection constant connection connection up

Operating Sequence

We have made the operation of the SmartCart as user-friendly as possible.
The customer can download our free app in advance before using it for the first time.
In the SmartCart-App, the customer then registers with his first and last name, email address and a password. A confirmation email will then be sent to the specified email with which the customer can activate his SmartCart account. After that the customer can unlock one of our SmartCarts.
To activate one you press the button "FREISCHALTEN" in our app. A window opens in which a SmartCart is searched via Bluetooth. If a SmartCart is found, the customer can click on it and a connection will be established with it. If the connection is successful, a four-digit code is shown on the SmartCart display, which must be entered in the app. If the code is correct, the SmartCart will be activated.
The customer also has the option of creating a shopping list. He can do this under the menu item "EINKAUFSLISTE" of the app. He can do this before registering.
The activated SmartCart now offers the option of using the lockable compartment. To do this, the customer presses the joystick and can now select the digits by pulling the joystick up and down and the position of a four-digit code by pulling it right and left. The customer can confirm by pressing the joystick again and cancel by pressing the red button.
In the main menu of the SmartCart, the customer can move to the Settings with the joystick to the right / left. In these he can switch the automatic height adjustment off or on. To do this, he presses the joystick in the settings.
With manual height adjustment, the customer can move the merchandise area up and down in the main menu by pulling the joystick up and down.
After the customer has made his purchase he can press the "VOM SMARTCART TRENNEN" button in the app. The connection to the SmartCart is broken and the SmartCart is reset.

---

The SmartCart-App

---

A few pictures of our SmartCart

---

The SmartCart-Team

---

Here you can contact us