TL;DR
Amazon unveiled a redesigned Dash Cart that increases capacity by 40%, features a more responsive item scanner moved within the cart, and introduces tap-to-pay checkout. The company says it will roll the revamped carts out to dozens of Whole Foods locations by the end of the year.
What happened
Amazon announced a revamped Dash Cart intended for use at Whole Foods stores. The redesigned cart increases carrying capacity by 40% and is described as lighter than previous models. Amazon also says the cart includes a more responsive item scanner that has been repositioned on the unit, and the new design adds tap-to-pay checkout capability so customers can pay at the cart. The company plans to deploy the updated carts to dozens of Whole Foods locations before the year ends, according to the announcement. The update follows Amazon’s prior experiments with cashierless and smart-cart technologies, though specific rollout dates and additional technical details were not included in the announcement excerpt.
Why it matters
- Larger, lighter carts could make in-store shopping with a smart cart more practical for a wider range of grocery trips.
- On-cart tap-to-pay reduces the need to stop at a register, potentially shortening visit times and changing store flow.
- A more responsive scanner may reduce friction in item recognition, improving the user experience compared with earlier models.
- Broader deployment at Whole Foods signals Amazon’s continued push to blend digital checkout features into physical retail.
- Expanded smart-cart use raises questions about data collection, in-store tracking, and payment security that consumers and regulators may scrutinize.
Key facts
- Amazon introduced a redesigned Dash Cart for Whole Foods.
- The new cart has 40% larger carrying capacity, per Amazon.
- Amazon describes the updated cart as lighter than previous versions.
- The item scanner has been made more responsive and relocated on the cart.
- Tap-to-pay capability has been added so shoppers can pay at the cart.
- Amazon plans to bring the revamped carts to dozens of Whole Foods locations by the end of the year.
- The announcement was made on a Wednesday, according to the source.
- Specific rollout dates, store list, pricing, and technical specifications were not provided in the excerpt.
What to watch next
- Whether Amazon will expand Dash Cart deployment beyond the announced Whole Foods stores — not confirmed in the source.
- Exact store-by-store rollout schedule and availability timing for the "dozens" of locations — not confirmed in the source.
- Further details on payment security, supported payment methods and how tap-to-pay will be implemented — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Dash Cart: A smart shopping cart that uses onboard sensors and scanners to detect items and facilitate checkout without a traditional register.
- Tap-to-pay: A contactless payment method that lets customers complete transactions by touching or waving a card or mobile device near a reader.
- Item scanner: A sensor or barcode reader on a cart or at checkout used to detect or register products being purchased.
- Whole Foods: A grocery chain owned by Amazon that operates supermarkets focused on natural and organic products.
Reader FAQ
How much larger is the redesigned Dash Cart?
Amazon says the new cart has 40% greater capacity.
When and where will the new carts appear?
Amazon plans to bring the updated carts to dozens of Whole Foods locations by the end of the year.
Does the cart support contactless payments?
Yes — the redesign adds tap-to-pay capability, according to the announcement.
How much lighter is the new model?
not confirmed in the source
Amazon says its new Dash Cart has a 40 percent larger capacity. Amazon is launching a revamped version of its smart shopping cart, which it plans to bring to dozens…
Sources
- Amazon’s smart shopping cart for Whole Foods gets bigger, lighter, and adds tap-to-pay
- 5 ways Amazon's newest Dash Cart can save you time …
- Amazon Dash Cart: Grocery & Gourmet Food
- Dash Carts
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