Uber Eats launches AI assistant to help with grocery cart creation

Source: TechCrunch

Overview

Uber Eats announced a new AI feature, Cart Assistant, designed to fill customers’ grocery carts faster and more easily. The beta version is now available in the app.

How Cart Assistant Works

1. Start a session – In the Uber Eats app, search for a grocery store and tap the purple Cart Assistant icon on the store’s page.
2. Provide a list – Users can type a grocery list, upload an image of a handwritten list, or submit a screenshot of a recipe and its ingredients.
3. Automatic addition – Cart Assistant parses the input and automatically adds the necessary items to the basket.
4. Customize – Users can swap items for preferred brands or add additional products from the store.

Cart Assistant leverages previous orders to prioritize familiar items—such as a usual brand of milk or favorite oatmeal—making the experience more personalized.

“Users were telling us they wanted a quicker way to shop, and we know how precious your time is,” said Uber CTO Praveen Neppalli Naga. “Cart Assistant helps you get from idea to checkout in seconds.”

Competitive Landscape

• Instacart launched an AI search tool powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2023, offering personalized shopping recommendations.
• DoorDash has been testing an AI chatbot called DashAI (2023) to speed up food ordering.
• In 2025, both Uber Eats and DoorDash integrated with ChatGPT to streamline ordering: Uber Eats lets U.S. users browse local restaurants and menus in ChatGPT and complete purchases in the Uber Eats app, while DoorDash’s integration enables users to request meal plans and automatically add ingredients to their cart.

Broader AI Investments at Uber Eats

Uber Eats continues to invest in AI across its platform, including tools for merchants such as:

• AI‑generated menu descriptions
• Enhanced food photos
• Customer review summaries

These initiatives aim to improve both the shopper and merchant experience.