Abstract: The automated robotic shopping cart is a shopping cart with a controller and locomotion subsystem. The controller may provide shopping assistance to the shopper and may play audio/visual programming to entertain a child riding in the cart. The controller may wirelessly pair with a phone carried by the shopper and may use battery powered motors to propel and steer the cart such that the cart follows the shopper through a store. The battery may be recharged from a solar panel when the cart is outdoors. A GPS receiver in the controller may determine the physical location of the cart and may activate a brake if an attempt is made to remove the cart from the retail property. The invention may further comprise a reading light to illuminate products and a distress button to request assistance.