Instacart has acquired computer vision company Arpalus and will use that firm’s shelf intelligence technology to improve the inventory accuracy of its own grocery platforms.
Arpalus’ technology is purpose-built for grocery retail and will improve the inventory data needed for both eCommerce fulfillment and in-store operations, Instacart said in a Thursday (July 16) press release.
When installed on a smartphone or other camera-equipped device, Arpalus’ technology can turn a video scan of a store shelf into a real-time picture of inventory with greater than 95% accuracy, according to the release.
With that capability, Instacart’s network of shoppers can generate shelf intelligence using the app they already use for every order. The network includes 600,000 shoppers who visit large-format stores more than 15 times per day, on average, the release said.
Instacart will also use the technology in its Caper Carts that are equipped with external cameras and move through store aisles, per the release.
The company plans to use the shelf data generated by these tools for its Instacart Marketplace, Storefront Pro and Store View, the release said.
“The Arpalus team has spent years building exceptional shelf intelligence technology, solving the problem of understanding what’s actually on store shelves, at any given moment,” Instacart Chief Connected Stores Officer David McIntosh said in the release. “With our leadership in Physical AI for grocery retail and by activating our network of shoppers, we can feed even more accurate shelf information back into our models, delivering better outcomes for customers, shoppers, and our retail and brand partners.”
Arpalus Founder and CEO Ofir Zilberberg said in the release: “Joining Instacart is a transformative milestone. By combining Arpalus’ AI innovation with Instacart’s scale and retail reach, we are accelerating the future of intelligent retail and redefining how stores operate.”
Instacart announced in April that it acquired Colombia-based grocery technology firm Instaleap to promote Instacart’s global expansion and add to its technological capabilities. Instaleap’s technology facilitates retailers’ marketplace integrations and fulfillment services.
In May 2025, Instacart announced its acquisition of Wynshop, a provider of eCommerce solutions for grocers and retailers, and said the deal would expand Instacart’s relationships with retailers and support its tools and technologies.
