Walmart customers can now virtually try on items from the comfort of their own homes, thanks to AR technology in the retailer’s app.
Customers must upload a full-body photo of themselves to generate a realistic simulation of what an item of apparel would look like on their own bodies in the new Be Your Own Model experience.
The innovation, which was made possible by the company’s acquisition of the Zeekit virtual try-on platform last year, is capable of detecting where the fabric should drape and shadows should fall.
“A single shirt can come in six different colours, seven different sizes and two sleeve lengths. Our technology captures all the variations and shows how they look uniquely on each individual,” says Walmart in a press release announcing the new feature.
Be Your Own Model allows you to try on over 270,000 articles of clothing from Walmart’s portfolio of brands. You may also try on items from certain national brands like Levi’s, Champion, and Hanes.
In March, Walmart initially deployed the Zeekit virtual fitting room technology in their less personalised Choose My Model experience. Instead of electronically dressing the consumer, it allowed them to choose from 50 various female models with a range of skin tones, heights ranging from 5 feet 2 inches to 6 feet tall, and sizes ranging from XS to XXXL. Walmart will continue to provide this option for anyone, not comfortable uploading.
According to a video tutorial of the feature, users only need to snap a full body photo of themselves wearing shoes, tight-fitting shorts and tops in a well-lit setting and then enter their height when requested. They may then use the photograph as a model whenever they purchase clothing at Walmart, either through the app or website. However, it’s unclear how the technology will handle strapless tops and gowns, and it doesn’t appear to help men’s fashion in any way.
Unfortunately, Walmart’s introduction of the Be Your Own Model feature does not indicate how the world’s largest retailer intends to protect semi-nude photographs; it asks consumers to contribute in quantity.
The Be Your Own Model experience is presently accessible through the Walmart app and is being rolled out to iOS users initially, with Android compatibility due in the coming weeks.