The Concept Of Virtual Fitting Rooms Using AR and AI

The online shopping method will gain traction as a response to the pandemic.

Already, e-commerce businesses are raking enormous numbers in terms of revenue. With virtual fitting rooms, they can disrupt the conventional way of online shopping. As an augmented reality app development company, we are continually in quest of capturing the trending applications of augmented reality. We are also looking to serve our clients, in case they need such an application.

In this blog, we will talk about how the convergence of artificial intelligence and augmented reality gives birth to a virtual fitting room.

What Are Virtual Fitting Rooms?

Virtual Fitting Room or VFR is the long-term solution to the dried up footfalls in the retail sector. It will also boost the e-commerce sector with its applications. People are shifting towards online shopping, and adding the convenience of “try-before-you-buy” can prove to be an exceptional move. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global Virtual Fitting Room market size will grow at a CAGR of 20.1% and reach USD 10 billion by 2027 from USD 2.44 billion in 2019.

As you can see, the potential this market possesses is enormous. Also, developments are underway in the sector to come up with reliable VFR solutions. With VFR, customers can virtually try the size, fitting, and style of their favorite products. It will enable them to evade the hassles of improper fitting, wrong size, and unnecessary return/replacement process.

Also Read: Disrupting Routine Health Checkups With AR VR Technology

How Do They Work?

We have augmented reality, through which we superimpose computer-generated information over real-world elements. But, using only AR can still leave a few gaps in the whole process, as it is essential to recognize & track body movements. Likewise, it is also vital to take body measurements in real-time for a better output. Here, the role of AI comes in, as data scientists must develop a custom pose estimation model. It can detect key points from partly scanned body images. 

The custom pose estimation model will enable consumers to find the perfect fit in terms of size and style. It will improve the immersion of users into AR by letting them interact and control the virtual elements through body movements. As an augmented reality company, we work closely on this concept to deliver our clients the desired results.

Some Notable VFR Applications

The virtual fitting room technology has varied offerings under the hood. Be it watches, clothes, glasses, hats, masks, etc. Let us explore them one at a time.

Watches

Apple App store has this AR Watches App, which works on the ARTag Technology. In this, a person wears a band on the wrist which has specific markers on it. As the person wears it the same way as they would wear a watch, the app uses computer vision technology to read those markers. The app then renders a 3D image that looks exactly like a watch.

The only limitation here is the requirement of a printer to print the ARTag band and try your favorite watches. 

Also Read: Reshaping The Future With Augmented Reality Technology

Shoes

Next up, we have shoes. In this segment, Wanna Kicks and SneakerKit are already leading the way when it comes to demonstrating how AR and deep learning technologies help you try shoes.

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As you can see, the 3D foot pose estimation detects the key points either directly in 3D or inferring 3D coordinates from 2D key points. Either way, the 3D foot pose estimation model forms the core of VFRs for Shoes. After complete detection of 3D key points of the feet, you get a render of a parametric 3D model of a human foot. It has the positioning and scaling of a footwear 3D model, as shown below.

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However, the foot estimation model has more challenges when compared to a full-body or face estimation model. To make the foot models more accurate, we need to have a large foot keypoint dataset to train the models. To obtain the dataset, we can rely on either synthetic data or photogrammetry, or a mix of both. In this way, we can increase the 3D data annotation efficiency. 

Glasses

We all know, trying glasses before buying is the norm. However, enabling consumers to try virtually and check how the glasses may look is a disruption. A few companies are leveraging deep learning technologies to estimate pose and enabling virtual try-on of glasses. 

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As you can see in the above image, the model detects the contours of a face. The contours form up with a set of over 100 points. They outline the face and common features such as eyes, lips, nose, and mouth. We have open-source libraries such as Face Alignment that provide out-of-the-box face pose estimation functionality to train the face landmark, estimation model.

Other Offerings Under VFR

In addition to watches, shoes, and glasses, we have surgical masks that require a virtual fitting solution. As today’s world is still recovering from the coronavirus, masks have become an integral part of human lives. We have Zapworks, which guides users to wear masks properly on an AR-based educational app.

Other leading developments in AR-based assistive technology to try products before buying are clothes and hats. People would prefer making the right purchase decisions in the first place. Augmented reality applications do give an impetus to e-commerce businesses to market their products with more conviction.

Concluding Thoughts

As the world is becoming more digitally connected, tech innovations are enhancing the living standards of people. Still, it requires many efforts to make these innovations accessible to a wider range of consumers. While tech behemoths are leading the way, small enterprises are harnessing the technology to develop more such AR applications to assist consumers.

Choose Oodles To Develop Futuristic AR Applications

We have a team that can turn your idea into reality by using the available tech stack. Our project-oriented approach makes us a reliable partner in accomplishing your business goals. As an AR app development company, we have delivered results based on our client’s requirements within the projected time.

If you are interested in launching your new Augmented Reality Application, you can contact us here.