In 2021, Walmart announced its acquisition of Zeekit, a virtual clothing try-on startup.
It leveraged a combination of real-time image processing, computer vision, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and deep learning to show shoppers how they would look wearing an item through simulation.
The simulation takes into account someone's body dimensions, size, fit, and the fabric of the garment.
Today, the retail giant said it is bringing the AI-technology to Walmart.com and its Walmart mobile app.
Walmart Introduces Virtual Clothing Try-on Startup
Walmart is introducing the computer vision neural network-powered "Choose My Model" try-on feature, which is now in beta mode. This feature allows Walmart customers to select a model that better matches their own appearance and body type, according to TechCrunch.
At launch, online shoppers can select from among 50 models to find one that best reflects their height, body shape, and skin tone so they can get a better idea of how the clothes would look on them.
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The virtual models range in height between 5'2 and 6'0 and the sizes range from XS through XXXL. The retail giant notes that it will continue to expand its model selection over time.
There are plans to launch almost 70 additional models in the next few weeks to offer more variety when it comes to skin tone, size, and even hair color.
The new feature is powered by Walmart Global Tech's neural networks, which analyze catalog images of garments. This is in order to create a dressed image using computer vision algorithms across a diverse set of Walmart model images, according to CNBC.
The use of neural networks helps to determine the different variations available in a single product, which does not just include its size, but could also include other factors such as colors and the sleeve length. The new system is able to capture these variations when showing the options.
The "Choose My Model" feature, which focuses solely on women's fashion, will work with thousands of items across the retail giant's own portfolio of exclusive and private brands. These brands include Scoop, Sofia Jeans by Sofia Vergara, Free Assembly, and ELOQUI Elements
Athletic Works, Time and True, Terra & Sky, Avia, No Boundaries, and The Pioneer Woman are also part of the list of bransd that will be part of the feature.
It is also in the process of adding national brands, starting with Just My Size, Levi's, Hanes, Secret Treasure, and Como Blu.
Expanding the Feature
The feature will eventually expand to include more national brands, including those on Walmart.com and the Walmart Marketplace. The retail giant notes it is easier to enable the technology across its own brands because it owns the inventory and catalog of items, according PYMNTS.
Before its acquisition, Zeekit had been working with several retailers, including Walmart, as well as other well-known brand like Adidas and Tommy Hilfiger.
This existing work with Walmart helped speed the time that it took to bring the technology to the public through the Walmart website and mobile app integration.
When shopping on the website or the app, customers will see prompts like "Change my model" to choose a model on the clothing item's page if the new virtual try-on technology is available for that item. The prompts will appear across the website and the iOS and Android mobile apps.
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Written by Sophie Webster
