Elderly and housebound residents in Bristol (UK) are testing a barcode reader which scans items from a catalogue – or off tins, speaks the order back to the user before it is sent to the supermarket via the phone line. The grocery is then delivered to their home by police-vetted drivers.

Shopping is only one of the “Companion” functions.
“In due course, it could be possible to order repeat prescriptions, remind people to take their medicine and allow Local Authorities or Care Agencies to monitor care packages more precisely”, says Prof Wolff said.

The trial is due to run until July 2005.

Via BBC News.