Instacart to Phase Out Caper Smart Carts by 2027

October 26, 2026 - 18:54

Instacart has confirmed it will discontinue its Caper smart cart project by 2027, closing a chapter on one of its more ambitious hardware experiments. The decision follows a board review that approved a costly strategic shift, with the company now directing resources toward initiatives it expects to drive stronger growth.

The Caper cart, a shopping trolley equipped with screens and sensors designed to let customers scan items as they shop, was once pitched as a way to modernize the in-store experience. Instacart acquired Caper in 2021 as part of a broader push beyond its core delivery business, betting that connected carts could bring its technology into physical grocery stores. The rollout, however, proved slower and more expensive than anticipated, and adoption never reached the scale the company had hoped for.

According to the company, winding down the project will involve supporting retail partners that currently use the carts and managing the transition over the coming years. Instacart framed the move as a reallocation of investment rather than a retreat from in-store technology, noting that it will continue to focus on tools that connect its app with brick-and-mortar shopping.

The board's approval of the shift signals a willingness to absorb short-term costs in exchange for a clearer strategic focus. For now, the company is emphasizing growth priorities over hardware development, and the Caper cart will gradually disappear from store aisles well before the 2027 deadline.