Fitting rooms could be a hassle, however, Amazon’s latest feat may enable consumers to try on virtual clothing at home without stepping foot in a store.
Last week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted the e-commerce giant a patent for a blended reality mirror that would transform consumers’ scenery and allow them to virtually try on apparel.
Amazon’s system would use a combination of cameras, display devices and projectors to blend transmitted and reflective light to form a different scene perceived by the user, by controlling the amount of light on either side of the mirror. This technology creates the illusion of another environment without physically changing the user’s body, enabling them to see themselves in virtual garments or scenes.
“The present disclosure includes systems and methods configured to blend transmitted and reflected light to form a single scene, as perceived by a user, by controlling the amount of light on either side of a mirror or other reflective element. A blended reality view can be used to provide a visual representation of the user in different settings other than the user is actually in,” said the patent. “Similarly, the blended reality view can be used to provide a visual representation of items, such as clothes, on the user without the user actually wearing the physical items.”
With this innovation, Amazon can help consumers tackle the universal sizing dilemma, while offering a convenient alternative to visiting brick-and-mortar locations. To try on apparel, a consumer would stand in front of the smart mirror, where an image would show them wearing the garment of their choice.
The user can tailor the garment image to their body measurements, since the smart mirror collects images of the user’s body proportions on the spot. This would allow consumers to determine if they like the fit of the garment or if they need to find another size. What’s more, the smart mirror would also be beneficial for online shopping, since this channel may not provide proper fitting opportunities for consumers.
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Amazon’s latest patent isn’t the first for the e-commerce giant. In April, Amazon was granted a patent for on-demand apparel manufacturing, which would instantly generate customized apparel for consumers and reduce standard lead times. Amazon is also seeking to disrupt its logistics operations by incorporating AI for back-end tasks, including warehousing.
What’s more, Amazon may have a floating distribution center in the works that would involve drones delivering goods to consumers in a matter of minutes. Despite Amazon’s digital persistence, other key players, like Walmart, have stepped up their innovation game over the past few months.