E-commerce enhanced by digital changing rooms

Sunday, August 14, 2011 - 09:45 by Sarah Collinson

One thing which prevents many people from buying clothes and accessories online is the fact that you cannot try the item on before you commit to the purchase, which leads to many people buying the same thing in multiple sizes and returning the ones which do not fit.

This year there has already been the creation of an innovative solution to this problem as we reported a few months ago - the development of a shape-shifting robotic torso which can mould itself to your exact measurements and give a remote impression of what a top will look like when worn by the consumer.

However, there has been an even more convenient augmentation to safe shopping online announced this week in the form of virtual web-based changing rooms.

The idea is very simple - the user is able to stand in front of a webcam and have their picture taken. The image is then analysed using augmented reality technology and it is subsequently possible to superimpose various items of clothing onto this image to replicate the changing room experience in the comfort of your own home.

Motion capture and augmented reality have become a firm feature of homes across the UK thanks to the launch of Microsoft's Kinect camera accessory for the Xbox 360 console. However, Microsoft is also planning similar technology for the next generation of laptop and desktop computers, so e-commerce firms could easily integrate virtual changing rooms into their websites once the equipment is widely available.

All this may sound like mumbo-jumbo straight out of a sci-fi movie, but the truth is that the next few years will see safe shopping online alter in many ways to improve the services available and make sure that there is no disadvantage to buying on the web.