Shoppers can now order products from Tesco’s online store using just their voice. The grocer has unveiled integration with Google Home, the new speaker device which recently launched in the UK to rival Amazon’s successful Echo voice assistant.

The supermarket’s tech lab has created an ‘if this then that’ (IFTTT) recipe, which automatically adds any item to a shopper’s basket. For example, shoppers can ask Google Home to “add milk to my Tesco basket” or “buy more eggs” with the system then adding the required product by taking into account a customers’ favourites list and the regular items they’ve bought in the past.

If the shopper already has an online delivery slot booked, the item will also automatically be added to their existing grocery order.

IFTTT technology allows simple commands to be automated depending on certain requirements being met. One example is adding a particular product to a basket when it drops below a defined price. Tesco first launched its IFTTT recipe last year, allowing users to automate their shopping via a smartphone screen. However, it has now brought the feature to ncreasingly popular voice controlled devices.

The use of smart speakers in people’s homes is expected to see rapid growth in the coming years as new devices are launched, with shopping via voice likely to become increasingly popular.  Wilkinson, head of technology research at Tesco Labs, said: “Voice will have a very exciting future and an impact on retail that is very interesting.”

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