Shoppers will soon be able to search digital clothing racks and try on virtual jewelry from their living rooms using artificial intelligence (AI), as Meta brings forward its vision for a new product. augmented reality headset.
Retail analysts say the company combines AI and AI augmented reality can change the way consumers shop. It would allow them to interact with 3D product displays, receive AI-powered style recommendations, and test items in virtual environments before making a purchase.
“AI will revolutionize personalized shopping by analyzing vast amounts of consumer data in real time to tailor recommendations and experiences,” Dorota Wróbelgeneral manager of the digital marketplace G2Atold PYMNTS.
“For businesses, the integration of AI will streamline the way they present products, enabling highly customized suggestions based on individual preferences and behavior. This level of personalization will increase engagement and help shoppers make more informed decisions, improving the overall shopping experience on digital platforms.”
Meta’s AR vision
Meta recently unveiled a lightweight (100 grams, about the weight of a bar of soap) prototype of augmented reality glasses called “Orion.” These glasses offer a 70 degree field of view through transparent lenses using waveguide technology micro projectorswhich marks a shift from their previous focus on bulky VR headsets.
While the prototype currently costs $10,000 per unit to produce, Meta plans to release a consumer version “in the coming years” with features such as hand tracking, voice commands and a neural interface wristband for control.
The new glasses “seamlessly integrate contextual AI that can sense and understand the world around you to anticipate and proactively respond to your needs,” Meta wrote in his announcement.
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital content, such as images, text or 3D holograms, on top of the real world, while allowing you to see your own images. factual environment. Unlike virtual reality, which completely replaces your vision with a digital environment, AR allows you to see your surroundings.
There are already several augmented reality headsets available for consumers and businesses. Meta’s quest 3 provides color pass-through and mixed-reality features that allow users to interact with virtual objects while seeing their surroundings. The Apple Vision Pro headset combines two screens and hand tracking to overlay digital content over the user’s physical environment. The XREAL Air AR Eyewear takes a different approach by projecting a virtual screen that appears to float in front of the user, while maintaining the lightweight form factor of traditional eyewear.
The combination of AI and AR could change the way consumers shop by making it easier to find the products they want before they even realize they need them. Eli GoodmanCEO and co-founder of Datosa Semrush company, told PYMNTS. AI can analyze shopping habits and preferences to recommend items.
“At the same time, AR lets customers ‘touch and feel’ products – whether it’s virtually trying on new glasses or seeing how a new piece of furniture will fit in their home,” he added.
“These types of experiences can lead to more impulse purchases, but it also helps to simplify choices. It may not necessarily be a good thing for everyone on a budget, but it can potentially combat ‘option fatigue’ and help narrow down options for consumers.”
Faster marketing through AI
Anthony Miyazakia marketing professor Florida International Universitytold PYMNTs that AI’s unique power is its real-time responsiveness.
“When AI’s real-time responsiveness for content generation is combined with AR’s blend of technology and reality, it takes world-building to the next level for consumers,” he said.
“We see this happen all the time with live salespeople, but only in words, as they consider your responses to their sales pitch and then try to communicate potential scenarios where the product would be a reasonable fit for you.”
The next wave of online shopping could completely miss your screen.
“Consider the massive growth of real-time social media sales through TikTok Shop and Instagram Shopping,” Miyazaki said. “Now add AI-enabled AR, where the content can change based on the user’s momentary engagement, producing audiovisual images of influencers interacting with you in a customized way. This is where AI and AR will transform online shopping.”
