Walmart has introduced a new virtual try-on technology that brings the in-store fitting room experience to online shoppers.
- Called ‘Be Your Own Model’, this feature will allow customers to use their own photo to better visualise how clothing will look on them, and creates a gamification of shopping that will be very compelling to the customer.
- The new feature is an outcome of the acquisition earlier this year of the Zeekit virtual try-on platform, with the implementation of the game-changing technology Choose My Model being the first feature to be introduced.
- The feature is now available on more than 270,000 items across Walmart’s portfolio of exclusive, elevated brands and private brands.
- Select items from brands like Champion, Levi’s and Hanes, and even some items on the Walmart Marketplace, are also part of the new experience.
- Be Your Own Model is currently rolling out to iOS users of the Walmart app. Shortly, iOS users will also be able to take their image in the Walmart app to use the feature on desktop or web.
- It will be available on Android devices in the coming weeks.
The details: The new feature uses algorithms and intricate machine learning models—techniques originally utilised in developing highly accurate topographic maps—to show how an item of clothing will look on someone.
- With Be Your Own Model, a customer sees an ultra-realistic simulation with shadows, fabric draping and where clothing falls on their figure in seconds.
- For example, a single shirt can come in six different colours, seven different sizes and two sleeve lengths. Be Your Own Model captures all the variations and shows how they look uniquely on each individual.
- If an item is enabled for virtual try-on, customers will see the “Try It On" button on the item page and have the option to view clothing on themselves (Be Your Own Model) or another model (Choose My Model).
- To use the Be Your Own Model feature, the customer will be prompted to take a picture of themselves within the Walmart iOS app. Once an image is saved, the customer will be able to view themselves as the model each time they use the virtual try-on experience.
