Kinect Hacked for Helpful Robot Shopping Cart

In what could be even more useful than the previously reported sign-language translator Kinect hack, Luis Carlos Inácio de Matos has unveiled the wi-GO robotic shopping cart. Using the visual sensing powers of the Kinect, a laptop, and a motorized platform, the wi-GO follows its owner like a faithful dog. Users can then use the built-in shopping basket to carry their items as they go through the store. De Matos intends the wi-GO to help people who, because of disability or any other reason, might have difficulty navigating a store with a shopping cart or carrying their purchases.

There have been some very fun and clever Kinect hacks already, but it’s great to see more tinkerers put their minds toward using these devices to improve quality of life.

(via Engadget)