{
  "id": 16660145,
  "title": "Instacart calls it quits on technology it hailed as 'the future of grocery shopping'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/instacart-calls-it-quits-on-technology-it-hailed-as-the-future-of",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-26T21:13:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/instacart-to-end-caper-smart-cart-project-by-2027-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Instacart is discontinuing its Caper smart shopping cart division by the second quarter of 2027, according to a statement from the company. The decision follows the winding down of the team responsible for developing the technology over the past few years. Former CEO Fidji Simo once proclaimed Caper carts as the future of grocery shopping, touting their ability to track purchases, apply coupons, and accept payments. The smart carts, equipped with cameras and sensors, were a prominent part of Instacart's retail technology initiatives. The company will save between $55 million and $80 million from the decision, with the funds being reinvested into strategic growth initiatives.",
  "summary": "Instacart to discontinue Caper smart carts by 2027, investing in growth initiatives after board's costly approval of this strategic shift.",
  "key_points": [
    "Instacart discontinues Caper smart shopping cart division in Q2 2027",
    "Caper touted by former CEO Fidji Simo as future of grocery shopping",
    "Company saves $55 million to $80 million, reinvests in growth"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}