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I have an idea for an app that makes grocery shopping – a mundane task that almost everyone does on a regular basis – much more intelligent (and enjoyable) by saving you time and money.

First, you must create a shopping list, and you can do that in multiple ways:

1) you can manually enter it.

2) you can use voice command similar to Amazon Echo.
3) you can take a picture of it (for example: a carrot), and it will recognize what it is.
4) you can scan the barcode on the packaging of an existing item (for example: yogurt, or dozen eggs).
5) it will add it for you automatically based on your shopping habits. (for example: it knows you’re purchasing garlic every other week, so it will be added to your shopping list based on that frequency.)

Next, it’s time to head to the store. The app will map out the exact location (shelf and aisle) within the store that you can find these products. A floor map of the items on your shopping list helps you avoid crisscrossing the store to find the items so it is a valuable time-saver. It will also highlight the on items on sale so it saves you money. The data that is used to generate the floor map and sale items can come from the store directly or from other shoppers who use the same app.

Once you finish your shopping trip, you will scan your receipts into the app. The app will know what you purchased, so it can check off the items on your shopping list and alert you on the items still outstanding. More importantly, the app will now be able to adapt to your shopping behavior. The app becomes your personal assistant. It knows what you have purchased, the frequency, and the price you paid, so it will automatically build your shopping list for the next trip. 

Last but not least, the app will allow you the share what you purchased, so your neighbors and friends who use the app can enjoy the savings as well. The app depends on an active user base who can contribute to finding sale items at each store and sharing with other users.