IOT enabled Smart Trolley for Commercial Shopping

Complex

A PROJECT REPORT

OF PROJECT-II (PROJ-IT781)

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
in
Information Technology

(From Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University Of Technology, West Bengal)

SUBMITTED BY

Pranti Rani Banda (Univ. Roll No: 13000221001)

Amisha Raj (Univ. Roll No: 13000221002)

Priyanshu Kumar Singh (Univ. Roll No: 13000221004)

Rushda Aliya (Univ. Roll No: 13000221016)

Under the Supervision of

Dr. Anirban Goswami

Department of Information Technology

Techno Main Salt Lake
Kolkata - 700091
 Department of Information Technology
Techno Main Salt Lake
EM-4/1, Salt Lake City, Kolkata - 700091

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
Certified that this synopsis for the project titled ““IoT-Based Smart Trolley with Dynamic

Billing and Shopper Tracking” is a part of the project work being carried out by
“PRANTI RANI BANDA, AMISHA RAJ, PRIYANSHU KUMAR SINGH, RUSHDA
ALIYA” under my supervision.

Full Signature of the Candidates (with date)

1.

2.

3.

4.

(Signature of the Supervisor)

(Signature of the Head of the Department)

i
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It gives us immense pleasure to express our deepest sense of gratitude and sincere thanks to the teaching
fraternity of the Department of Information Technology, for giving us this opportunity to undertake this project
and also supporting us whole heartedly.

We also wish to express our gratitude to the HOD and all our teachers of the Department of Information
Technology for their kind-hearted support, guidance, and utmost endeavor to groom and develop our academic
skills.

At the end, we would like to express our sincere thanks to all our friends and others who helped us directly
or indirectly during the effort in shaping this concept till now.

Full Signature of the Candidates (with date)

1.

2.

3.

4.

ii
 ABSTRACT
The continuous advancement in retail technologies has necessitated the development of smart systems that
streamline shopping and enhance customer experience. This project introduces an IoT-Based Smart Cart System
focusing on automated billing and efficient checkout using RFID technology and Arduino microcontrollers. The
system aims to revolutionize the traditional billing process, significantly reducing human error and waiting times
at checkout counters.

Each product is equipped with an RFID tag, allowing seamless item detection as it is placed into the cart. The
system uses an Arduino microcontroller to process the scanned data and display the real-time bill on a digital
screen mounted on the cart, providing customers with a transparent view of their purchases. This eliminates
the need for manual scanning at checkout, thus accelerating the payment process and enhancing the shopping
experience.

In addition to automated billing, the system updates the inventory datab- ase in real time, improving stock
management accuracy and minimizing discrepancies. While the cart autonomously follows the shopper using
ultrasonic sensors, its primary innovation lies in the automation of the billing process, offering a practical solu-
tion for busy retail environments.

Keywords: RFID Technology, Arduino Microcontroller, IoT.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ii

ABSTRACT iii

LIST OF FIGURES v

1 INTRODUCTION 1

2 LITERATURE REVIEW 3

3 PROBLEM DEFINITION 5

4 PROJECT DESIGN 7

4.1 Image Based Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4.2 Project Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4.3 Project Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

5 FACILITIES REQUIRED FOR PROPOSED WORK 11

5.1 Software Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5.2 Hardware Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

6 CODE TEMPLATES 13

7 OUTPUT SCREENS/EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS 17

8 CONCLUSIONS 19

9 REFERENCES 21

iv
 List of Figures

FIGURE NUMBER FIGURE NAME PAGE NUMBER

4.1 Image-based Approach 8
4.2 Architecture of Project 8
4.3.1 Project Workflow for Automated Billing 9
4.3.2 Project Workflow for Autonomous Human Following 10
Trolley
5.1 Software Requirements 11
5.2 Hardware Requirements 11
6.1 Human Following Algorithm 13
7.1 Moving Bot 16

v
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1
 INTRODUCTION

The rapid advancement of retail technologies has led to the development of smart shopping solutions that im-
prove customer experience and operational efficiency. Traditional retail environments often struggle with long
checkout lines, manual billing errors, and inefficient inventory tracking, causing frustration for both customers
and store managers. The need for automation in retail is more pressing than ever, especially with increasing
customer expectations for a seamless shopping experience.

One of the primary challenges in conventional shopping is manual cart handling and checkout delays. Cus-
tomers must manually push shopping carts, which can be cumbersome, especially for elderly individuals or those
with physical limitations. The reliance on cashier-operated billing systems results in long queues, human errors
in product scanning, and frequent pricing discrepancies. Mispricing, missed scans, and incorrect totals often
cause financial losses for retailers and dissatisfaction among shoppers.

To overcome these challenges, this project introduces an IoT-Based Smart Cart System that integrates auto-
mated customer following using ultrasonic sensors and a human-following bot. The system utilizes car motors
powered by a rechargeable battery to drive the cart’s wheels, controlled via a motor driver circuit. This allows the
smart cart to autonomously follow customers, eliminating the need for manual pushing. The ultrasonic sensors
enable precise distance measurement, ensuring the cart accurately follows the customer without collisions. This
innovation enhances convenience for the elderly, individuals with disabilities, or shoppers carrying heavy loads.

Additionally, the smart cart employs RFID-based automated billing, allowing customers to shop without
manual scanning. Each product is equipped with an RFID tag, and as items are added to the cart, an Arduino-
based microcontroller processes the data and updates a real-time digital bill displayed on an LCD screen. This
ensures full price transparency, allowing shoppers to monitor their expenses instantly and avoid surprises at
checkout. The self-checkout functionality reduces human intervention, cutting waiting times and eliminating
errors caused by manual scanning.

Moreover, the system includes real-time inventory management, updating stock levels as items are added to
the cart. This enables store managers to efficiently track product availability, prevent stock shortages, and opti-
mize replenishment. By integrating IoT, RFID, and autonomous movement technologies, this smart cart presents
a scalable solution to modern retail challenges, improving customer satisfaction and streamlining operations.

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 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

3
 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

Over the years, extensive research in smart retail solutions has led to the development of intelligent shopping
cart systems that enhance customer experience, improve billing accuracy, and optimize retail operations. Sev-
eral studies have explored the integration of IoT, AI, RFID, and autonomous movement technologies to make
shopping more efficient and interactive.

Sakthivel et al. [1] introduced an AIoT-based smart cart system integrating artificial intelligence and IoT for
real-time data processing and automation. Wang and Yang [2] proposed the 3S-cart, a sensor-based shopping
cart using lightweight sensors for improved tracking and efficiency. Li et al. [3] examined security aspects,
focusing on secure transaction management and data integrity in automated billing systems. Ashique et al. [4]
developed Quick Cart, integrating tracking technologies for a more automated shopping experience.

Further advancements in RFID-based smart carts were proposed by Berdaliyev and James [5], who combined
RFID with cloud computing for real-time data management and inventory tracking. Bello-Salau et al. [6] de-
signed an automated system for shopping centers, focusing on customer satisfaction. Garlapati et al. [7] explored
AI-driven interactions and personalized recommendations. Vishwakarma et al. [8] developed an Arduino-based
cart for cost-effective automated billing. Khairnar and Gawali [9] proposed a smart cart system for urban retail
environments, enhancing smart city shopping.

A key innovation is autonomous movement through ultrasonic sensors and motor-driven automation. Mishra
et al. [10] proposed a self-propelled cart integrating computer vision-based shopper following and automatic
billing. Jain et al. [11] discussed the role of smart carts in enhancing accessibility. Mittal et al. [12] introduced
a billing system with fingerprint authentication and personalized recommendations. Falcão et al. [13] developed
Isacs, an autonomous checkout system using RFID and AI for seamless operation. Shang et al. [14] explored
Tamera, a contactless system for RFID-based shopping behavior recognition.

Ultrasonic sensors in smart carts enable autonomous following, allowing carts to track and follow shoppers
without manual pushing. Car motors drive the wheels, powered by a battery through a motor driver circuit,
ensuring smooth navigation. The ultrasonic sensors measure distance and detect obstacles, preventing collisions.
This feature is particularly beneficial for elderly or disabled shoppers, making the shopping experience more
efficient.

The reviewed studies highlight the effectiveness of RFID, IoT, and autonomous movement technologies in
smart retail environments. The proposed IoT-Based Smart Cart System integrates RFID-based automated billing,
Arduino microcontroller, ultrasonic sensor-based following, and motor-driven automation. This system presents
a scalable, intelligent solution for modern retail challenges, enhancing customer experience and store operations.

4
 CHAPTER 3

PROBLEM DEFINITION

5
 3 PROBLEM DEFINITION

Challenges in Traditional Retail Checkout Systems

• Long Checkout Times: Manual item scanning leads to prolonged wait times and customer dissatisfaction.

• Billing Errors: Human errors in pricing cause financial losses for both customers and retailers.

• Poor Inventory Management: Outdated systems create stock mismatches and delays in restocking.

Limitations of Existing Smart Carts

• Lack of Autonomous Mobility: Shoppers must manually push the cart, which is inconvenient for elderly
or disabled individuals.

Proposed Solution: IoT-Based Smart Cart System

Autonomous Customer Tracking

• Ultrasonic Sensors: Detect and follow customer movement, enabling hands-free shopping.

• Human-Following Bot: Eliminates the need for manual pushing, improving accessibility.

Motorized Cart System

• Car Motors & Battery-Powered Movement: Wheels driven via a motor driver circuit.

• Real-Time Position Adjustment: Ultrasonic sensors track movement and regulate cart motion.

RFID-Based Automated Billing

• RFID Tags on Products: Items are automatically detected without manual scanning.

• Arduino Microcontroller Processing: Real-time bill displayed on a digital screen.

• Eliminates Cashier-Based Checkout: Reduces waiting time and minimizes billing errors.

Real-Time Inventory Tracking

• Automatic Stock Updates: Prevents shortages and improves supply chain efficiency.

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 CHAPTER 4

PROJECT DESIGN

7
 4 PROJECT DESIGN

Fig 4.1: Image-based Approach

The IoT-Based Smart Cart System integrates cutting-edge technologies to streamline shopping by automat-
ing processes like product scanning, cart movement, and billing. Here’s an overview of how the system works:
1. Ultrasonic Sensors (Customer Following) :
These sensors measure the distance between the cart and the customer, enabling the cart to autonomously follow
the shopper without collisions. The system adjusts the cart’s movement in real-time to stay close to the customer
and navigate the store seamlessly.
2. Motorized Movement (Car Motors Motor Driver) :
Car motors are responsible for driving the cart’s wheels, powered by a rechargeable battery. A motor driver
circuit allows the Arduino to control the movement of the cart, ensuring it follows the customer as they move
through the store.
3. Arduino Microcontroller :
The Arduino serves as the control unit of the system. It processes data from both the ultrasonic sensors and
RFID reader. It also drives the cart’s motors and updates the real-time bill displayed on the LCD screen, provid-
ing continuous feedback to the customer.
4. RFID Technology (Automated Billing) :
RFID tags placed on the products are automatically scanned by the RFID reader. The Arduino processes the
scanned data, updating the total bill on the LCD screen. This eliminates the need for manual scanning, making
checkout faster and more accurate.
5. Real-Time Inventory Management :
As items are added or removed from the cart, the system updates the inventory levels in real time. This helps
store managers track product availability and prevents stockouts, optimizing product replenishment.

8
 Fig 4.2: Architecture of Project

Fig 4.3.1: Project Workflow for Automated Billing

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Fig 4.3.2: Project Workflow for Autonomous Human Following Trolley

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 CHAPTER 5

FACILITIES REQUIRED FOR PROPOSED WORK

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 5 FACILITIES REQUIRED FOR PROPOSED WORK

• 5.1 Hardware Requirements:

– Motors:

* DC Motors or Stepper Motors for robot movement.

* Servo Motor (Optional): To rotate sensors or cameras for scanning.

– Power Supply:

* Rechargeable batteries (e.g., 12V Li-ion battery).

* Power regulator (e.g., LM2596) to provide regulated power to components.

– Chassis:

* A 2-wheel or 4-wheel robot chassis for mobility.

* Caster wheels for balance.

– Miscellaneous:

* Jumper wires.

* Breadboard or PCB.

* Screwdrivers, nuts, and bolts.

* Switches for power control.

• 5.2 Software Requirements:

– Development Tools:

* Arduino IDE: For programming and uploading code to Arduino.

* C++: Required if using Raspberry Pi for camera-based tracking or OpenCV.

– Motor Control Library:

* For controlling motors (e.g., AFMotor.h for Arduino).

– Sensor Libraries:

* Libraries for ultrasonic sensors (e.g., NewPing.h for Arduino).

* Libraries for camera modules (e.g., picamera for Raspberry Pi).

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 CHAPTER 6

CODE TEMPLATES

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 6 CODE TEMPLATES

The human-following algorithm for an autonomous shopping bot uses ultrasonic sensors to track and maintain
a set distance from the user. The Arduino microcontroller processes sensor data and controls the motors via a
motor driver. When the user moves forward, the bot detects the increasing distance and activates its car motors to
follow. If the user stops, the bot halts to prevent collision. Side movement is handled through differential motor
control, adjusting direction accordingly. This ensures a smooth and hands-free shopping experience, making
retail navigation more convenient.

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15
Fig 6.1: Human Following Algorithm

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 CHAPTER 7

OUTPUT SCREENS/EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

17
 7 OUTPUT SCREENS/EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

Fig 7.1: Moving Bot

Autonomous Bot
The Autonomous Shopping Bot is designed to follow customers automatically using ultrasonic sensors and a
human-following algorithm. It is powered by car motors, with movement controlled via a motor driver circuit and
battery. The ultrasound sensors detect the shopper’s position and adjust the bot’s speed and direction accordingly,
eliminating the need for manual pushing. Integrated with RFID-based automated billing, the bot tracks selected
items in real-time, displays the bill on a digital screen, and updates inventory instantly. This hands-free, AI-
driven solution enhances shopping convenience, reduces checkout time, and improves retail efficiency.

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 CHAPTER 8

CONCLUSIONS

19
 8 CONCLUSIONS

The IoT-based autonomous shopping cart transforms traditional retail by addressing challenges like physical
effort, inefficiency, and accessibility barriers. Combining technologies such as ultrasonic sensors, human-
following algorithms, motorized wheels, and power management systems, the cart autonomously follows cus-
tomers, reducing physical strain and making shopping more inclusive for individuals with mobility challenges.

Ultrasonic sensors ensure precise customer tracking and obstacle avoidance, creating a seamless and safe
navigation experience in busy environments. Human-following algorithms adapt dynamically to the user’s di-
rection and pace, enhancing personalization. The motorized wheels, driven by a reliable battery and managed
by a motor driver, ensure smooth, controlled operation, while an energy-efficient design extends battery life and
minimizes maintenance.

Beyond convenience, the cart integrates with modern retail systems, offering features like automated billing,
product tracking, and inventory management. It supports future enhancements such as RFID scanners for instant
product identification and payment integration, making it a scalable solution for diverse retail settings. Retailers
benefit from improved customer satisfaction, reduced manual intervention, and increased loyalty.

This IoT-powered system not only addresses critical pain points in shopping but also aligns with the evolution
of smart retail. By combining advanced technologies and thoughtful design, it enhances the shopping experience
while contributing to the broader adoption of automation in everyday tasks.

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CHAPTER 9

REFERENCES

21
 9 REFERENCES

[1] Yerlan Berdaliyev and Alex Pappachen James. “”RFID-Cloud smart cart system””. In: 2016
International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communications and Informatics
(ICACCI). IEEE. 2016, pp. 2346–2352.

[2] You-Chiun Wang and Chang-Chen Yang. “”3S-cart: a lightweight, interactive sensor-based cart
for smart shopping in supermarkets””. In: IEEE Sensors Journal 16.17 (2016), pp. 6774–6781.

[3] Prasiddhi K Khairnar and Dhanashri H Gawali. “”Innovative shopping cart for smart cities””.
In: 2017 2nd IEEE international conference on recent trends in electronics, information &
communication technology (RTEICT). IEEE. 2017, pp. 1067–1071.

[4] Ruinian Li et al. “”IoT applications on secure smart shopping system””. In: IEEE Internet of
Things Journal 4.6 (2017), pp. 1945–1954.

[5] T Mohammed Ashique et al. “”Quick Cart: A Smart Cart System””. In: 2018 International
Conference on Emerging Trends and Innovations In Engineering And Technological Research
(ICETIETR). IEEE. 2018, pp. 1–4.

[6] Darshita Mittal et al. “”Smart billing using content-based recommender systems based on
fingerprint””. In: ICT Analysis and Applications: Proceedings of ICT4SD 2019, Volume 2.
Springer. 2020, pp. 85–93.

[7] Habeeb Bello-Salau et al. “”A new automated smart cart system for modern shopping
centres””. In: Bulletin of Electrical Engineering and Informatics 10.4 (2021), pp. 2028–2036.

[8] João Diogo Falcão et al. “”Isacs: In-store autonomous checkout system for retail””. In:
Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies 5.3
(2021), pp. 1–26.

[9] Ayaskanta Mishra et al. “”Automation in Retail ‘Follow-Me-Auto Shopping Cart’: A

Self-propelled Computer Vision-Based Shopper Following Cart with Auto-billing Feature
Using IIoT””. In: Recent Advances in Manufacturing, Automation, Design and Energy
Technologies: Proceedings from ICoFT 2020. Springer. 2022, pp. 475–483.

[10] S Sakthivel et al. “”AIoT-based smart cart system””. In: 2022 International Conference on
Smart Technologies and Systems for Next Generation Computing (ICSTSN). IEEE. 2022,
pp. 1–6.

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[11] Ridvan Aydin et al. “”Assessing the implementation of a smart cart in a supermarket using a
simulation model””. In: International Symposium on Industrial Engineering and Automation.
Springer. 2023, pp. 84–95.

[12] Fei Shang et al. “”Tamera: contactless commodity tracking, material and shopping behavior
recognition using COTS RFIDs””. In: ACM Transactions on Sensor Networks 19.2 (2023),
pp. 1–24.

[13] Vipin Vishawakarma et al. “”Arduino Based Smart Cart””. In: 2023 5th International
Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication Control and Networking (ICAC3N).
IEEE. 2023, pp. 955–960.

[14] Sasrika Reddy Garlapati et al. “”Revolutionizing Shopping Experiences with Smart Carts””. In:
2024 International Conference on Computing and Data Science (ICCDS). IEEE. 2024, pp. 1–6.

[15] Mansee Jain et al. “”Innovation in Retail Accessibility: Smart Carts as Catalysts for Change in
Supermarkets””. In: International Conference on Business and Technology. Springer. 2024,
pp. 551–560.

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